The report on judges being given powers to punish prisoners who refuse to attend court raises a question about why we appear to have abandoned a straightforward approach that once worked (Criminals who refuse to attend sentencing face losing prison privileges under new rules, 22 October).
When I joined the Prison Service as an officer more than 30 years ago, prisoners were not permitted to decide whether they would attend court. If they refused to go voluntarily, they could be escorted under restraint where necessary.
