Oh I don't know about that. If you take away the results of someone's actions and just base it instead in accordance with moral law... Isn't that what a judge should truly do?
But a judge ceases to be so when they develop a bias or emotional attachments. Hence they can no longer be fit to do their job. If Sentience was no longer qualified, why shouldn't it be replaced?
Anyway... That's not really the issue. Don't you find it odd that the Engineers had access when they are supposed to be inmates as well?