Prisoners could be given significant discounts in their sentences if coronavirus takes hold in Victoria's prisons and detainees are put into lockdown, the Supreme Court of Victoria has heard.

Key points: Travis John Wills, 23, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Raichele Galea in Geelong three years ago

Travis John Wills, 23, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Raichele Galea in Geelong three years ago The sentencing judge highlighted that during a recent flu outbreak, every one day in isolation counted as four days served for some prisoners

The sentencing judge highlighted that during a recent flu outbreak, every one day in isolation counted as four days served for some prisoners The court heard Wills had significant anger management issues and was involved in less serious violent crimes before the 2017 killing

During the sentencing of Travis John Wills for manslaughter on Wednesday, Justice Paul Coghlan raised the issue of what "special concessions" might come into effect for prisoners if a COVID-19 outbreak in prison forced a lockdown.

During the 2019 flu outbreak, for every one day spent in isolation some prisoners were credited with four days served, the court heard.

Members of the public are currently not able to visit prisoners as a precautionary measure to try to stop the virus from getting into the prisons.

Wills, 23, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for fatally stabbing Raichele Galea in Geelong in 2017.

He has already served more than two years.

In November, after a 16-day trial, a jury found Wills guilty of manslaughter.

He was also tried on the charge of murder, but the jury acquitted him on that charge.

When asked about the sentencing arrangement, a spokesperson for Victoria's Corrections Minister Ben Carroll said each prisoner's case would be different, with a different formula applied to the number of days in isolation and what that translated to in days served.

Any discount would not be automatic, with the prisoners required to apply for "emergency management days".

Last week, an open letter signed by more than 370 lawyers, criminologists, academics and prisoner advocates called for governments to take dramatic action to reduce the nation's prison population in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

No adequate explanation for the attack, court told

The court was told Wills had been drinking and consuming drugs with his mother and his aunt at a unit in Corio in June 2017.

The court heard Wills got into an argument with his mother who had made comments that, if the child of his pregnant partner turned out not to be his, the child would still be considered family.

Wills's partner was upset by the comments, the court heard, and it was then that Wills punched his mother in the face.

Ms Galea, 44, had parked her car next to Wills's car and was heading into the unit when he was heading out of the house.

He did not know her. Wills stabbed Ms Galea at least six times.

The court was told "there was no adequate explanation" for the attack, which lasted just 10 to 15 seconds.

"It's very difficult to say what happened except that you were very angry after an incident involving your mother," Justice Coghlan said in his sentencing remarks.

"Something Ms Galea said to you led to the attack.

"You took your anger out on her."

Accused had 'no actual motive', court told

The court heard he hid in the boot of his car for more than an hour after the killing and that he also tried to blame others for the death.

Wills had tried to say he had acted against Ms Galea in an attempted robbery, which was not accepted by Justice Coghlan.

He also noted Wills continued to deny the crime and had made up an alibi, despite evidence from police recordings that he had told others he had "killed the sheila".

"You do not accept that you were the person who committed the offence," Justice Coghlan said.

"I accept that there was no premeditation and you had no actual motive to kill Ms Galea."

Justice Coghlan took into account Wills's disadvantaged background, which was affected by alcohol abuse by his parents and violence.

Wills had significant anger management issues, the court heard.

The court heard Wills had been involved in less serious violent crimes before the 2017 killing and had worked with his aunt who sold drugs.