Penal Notices

[anon2212]

Does anyone know of anyone who has gone to prison because of a penal notice attached to a contact order?

There are some reported cases, but not many. Fines and community service are also options.

I personally know of one mum who was given community service as she repeatedly failed to make her DCs available for contact with their Dad - afaik, he was encouraged by the family social worker to apply for enforcement as there were a lot of other issues going on.

Yes. One mother asked online whether a mother of a toddler would really be sent to prison. She disappeared for two weeks in the middle of the thread and it turned out she had been committed. There was another case here in Scotland where the mother was sent to prison for 3 months for contempt of the Sheriffs' Court and she faced further sentencing by the Court of Session. Although committal doesn't happen that often no one can assume they won't be sent to prison if they refuse to comply with a Contact Order.