Retaining dignity in court room appearances

OUR TV news channels often feature reports of individuals suspected of criminal offences being brought to court. Some of these individuals take great pains to hide their faces while they are being led to the court room by police or prison officials. They are normally clad in orange or purple lock-up T-shirts and are either handcuffed or held in chains.

In most cases, they do not want to be photographed so they use various means to cover their face. They use their hands, pull their T-shirt over their head or use other pieces of clothing like handkerchiefs or scarves to cover themselves.