COURTS are not casual places. By their very nature, because of their function, they are perforce places that demand solemnity, dignity and respect. Accordingly, it is difficult to see how having suspects appear in their nightwear or underwear is meeting such obligations.
During a routine visit to Edinburgh Sheriff Court, HM Inspectorate of Prisons found one female prisoner brought forth from an escort van in her nightclothes, another in his underwear, two in shorts and one with no footwear. It was a relatively small number of the 60 in custody on the day of the inspection but disturbing enough for the inspectorate, which is generally measured in its language, to declare the situation “unacceptable”.
Prison reform campaigners went further, describing it as “degrading and appalling” and, possibly, a violation of the prisoners’ human rights. The latter do not always generate sympathy among the public but, wherever one stands on law and order, it is difficult to see how the courts can have dignity if those brought before them are deprived of it.
It is disrespectful. It is slovenly. But it should be said that this peculiar anomaly is the only real stain in a report that found Edinburgh’s Court Custody Unit to be well run by motivated staff. It has to be assumed, too, that there will sometimes be practical difficulties in taking suspects to court timeously in a respectable state.
Officers can hardly be expected to have a trousers kitty or to nip out to Next on a prisoner’s behalf. It may, of course, be possible to contact relatives, though these will not always be available.
One would have to acknowledge it a difficult burden for officers to have the responsibility of making suspects look respectable for court.
At the same time, they have a big part to play in ensuring the courts are respected. They would not allow those in their charge to disrespect the court by chewing gum or yawning ostentatiously. As for the prisoners, rightly or wrongly the way they are dressed can affect how they are perceived.
Wise suspects know that how they present themselves can create a good impression. It may be a superficial consideration but at least it implies the prisoner acknowledges that the court must be respected.
It’s not clear why prisoners are appearing in such embarrassing states, though it raises the suggestion that, where necessary, measures should be taken to fetch proper clothing after their arrest.
Perhaps that will not always be practical but, regardless of the case, a problem has been highlighted and it gives rise to an obligation that, if at all possible, suspects should not be presented before the court in an undignified or disrespectful state.
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