Should prisoners be allowed to vote in elections?

[jrules]

The UK election turnout, until recently, has been falling quite dramatically. In 2001 the low turnout had been largely attributed on the fact that the result had a foreseeable conclusion. Having said that, this could not be offered as an explanation for the failure of turnout to recover in 2005. A Labour victory did seem likely but there was a possibility of a hung Parliament.

Furthermore, the younger electorate seemed to have been politicised by the Iraq war and the issue of university top up fees. However, these factors had little or no effect. As a result, most rich democracies spend a lot of money trying to convince people to exercise their right to vote.

It might seem, therefore, strange that some of the same countries take a lot of trouble stopping thousands of citizens from going to the polls. In seven European countries, including Britain, and in 48 American states, prisoners are forbidden from voting in elections, and even in ten American states, some criminals are stripped of their right to vote for life, even after their release.

What do you think?

My blog that talks in more detail of this is

Widely Political

[crazylilting]

I think the right to vote is important. I hope one day that our vote really means something. As it is now we can vote tacitly which is wrong. A vote should be a vote that takes a stand for who you believe is the most commitment to tackle the issues that face our society on voting day and in the future. Those who have committed crimes against society should not have such a privilege, because they don't have societies best interests at heart. I don't think they should be stripped of that right for ever though, they've done their time and the idea is to integrate them back into society not isolate them. One way to integrate them is to allow them to vote.

[Midas]

I think the right to vote is important. I hope one day that our vote really means something. As it is now we can vote tacitly which is wrong. A vote should be a vote that takes a stand for who you believe is the most commitment to tackle the issues that face our society on voting day and in the future. Those who have committed crimes against society should not have such a privilege, because they don't have societies best interests at heart. I don't think they should be stripped of that right for ever though, they've done their time and the idea is to integrate them back into society not isolate them. One way to integrate them is to allow them to vote.

I agree that the right to vote is important; I also agree that every adult should exercise that right - although I do have doubts that compulsory voting such as we have in Australia achieves much - however as you say, "Those who have committed crimes against society should not have such a privilege". Integrating prisoners back into society is of great importance as we've discussed elsewhere, so the restoration of voting rights on release is part of that, however until that time their right to vote should be suspended as part of their punishment. Yes, the turnout in elections has been very low, but surely a large part of that is the disillusionment the British electorate have with government in general, and in itself is a good indication that something needs to change. The addition of prisoners' votes would be a flea bite in the totals, a quick mental calculation showing it would add perhaps 0.1% to the figures.

[ryoden]

Those imprisoned have shown a general disrespect for societies laws and thus should lose certain rights, one of which is the right to vote. They should regain it on release obviously.

[Opinionated]

Not much for me to disagree with yet, if someone breaks the law, then they lose their right to be considered part of society as a whole, which is why they lose their right to freedom of movement in the first place, whilst they serve their sentence. Obviously having re-paid their debt all rights should be restored. Therefore I think it's important that voting rights be stripped after a fair trial, I'd go further and say that all personal bank accounts be frozen and the personal profits from any business which employs people be confiscated and put into a victim fund, after an allowance is given to any dependants etc.

[Midas]

Not much for me to disagree with yet, if someone breaks the law, then they lose their right to be considered but of society as a whole, which is why they lose their right to freedom of movement in the first place, whilst they serve their sentence. Obviously having re-paid their debt all rights should be restored. Therefore I think it's important that voting rights be stripped after a fair trial, I'd go further and say that all personal bank accounts be frozen and the personal profits from any business which employs people be confiscated and put into a victim fund, after an allowance is given to any dependants etc.

Whilst I agree that access to and the control of personal finances of prisoners should be denied, I can't see why there should be any penalty on any profits which come from any business a prisoner might be involved in as long as they're totally unconnected with the crime for which he/she has been convicted. If the prisoner has no control over the business whilst incarcerated, any profits resulting during that period are technically nothing to do with him/her and as such should be independent of the crime. What would the position be for a director/shareholder of a company where others were involved? How would you assess what percentage of profits should be seized during any financial year when that director was in prison?

[The Silver Eagle]

All I can say is if they've payed their debt to society, but I'm not so sure...

I guesss Yes? Why not right now is the question.

How about creating a scenario such as one who commits a Homicide and is given
life without the possibility of parole because he/she killed either First Degree or
Second Degree.

From this senario it's okay right?

[Scooby]

The right to vote is one of the most important rights of the individual, it allows the creation of laws and modification of laws in our country. The fact that you are in prisin shows you have no respect for the laws you have broken, in my opinion you have at this point given up the right, whilst you are incarcerated for showing your contempt and indifferance for the laws of the land your right to vote should be suspended until your sentence is fully discharged, not just while you spend time in prison, but also while you are on parole.

[Streetwalker]

No they shouldn't. Nor should the Scots

[Major Sinic]

Not much for me to disagree with yet, if someone breaks the law, then they lose their right to be considered part of society as a whole, which is why they lose their right to freedom of movement in the first place, whilst they serve their sentence. Obviously having re-paid their debt all rights should be restored. Therefore I think it's important that voting rights be stripped after a fair trial, I'd go further and say that all personal bank accounts be frozen and the personal profits from any business which employs people be confiscated and put into a victim fund, after an allowance is given to any dependants etc.

I am in full agreement with your view here. Too often it seems criminals appear to be able to continue to benefit from their crimes, even after they are convicted. A mechanism which ensures that their personal wealth, both existing and ongoing, recompenses their victims for their material losses seems eminently just to me.

I would restrict the right to vote further. For instance those who have emigrated from our shores no longer form part of our society so should not have the right to influence its government. Those who have chosen to come to our country to live should first have to pass a citizenship test or appraisal and complete a minimum residency period of say five years, so that they can demonstrate a long term commitment and contribution to our society. Many non-custodial crimes should also result in the loss of the right to vote including benefit fraud and those receiving ASBOs, for a specific period of time. I also agree with Streetwalker that Scots, Welsh and Ulstermen should not be allowed to vote on matters relating solely to England.

[The Silver Eagle]

I would restrict the right to vote further. For instance those who have emigrated from our shores no longer form part of our society so should not have the right to influence its government. Those who have chosen to come to our country to live should first have to pass a citizenship test or appraisal and complete a minimum residency period of say five years, so that they can demonstrate a long term commitment and contribution to our society. Many non-custodial crimes should also result in the loss of the right to vote including benefit fraud and those receiving ASBOs, for a specific period of time. I also agree with Streetwalker that Scots, Welsh and Ulstermen should not be allowed to vote on matters relating solely to England.

This is the problem we have here since the Left wont allow for it.

From what I've come to think I believe now that once they have served their time and become let out that these rights can once again or few
be bestowed upon them. If it's being a prisoner then they can wait unless they have life they wont ever receive that benefit since they lost it.
They are given the privelige as a free person only warned to abide by the laws that apply and when they break it then they have been earned
the punishment of what it is not to be free and without control. They are to be not shown during prison time little breaks (although here they
give them the best of healthcare and the best of everything which a bum would be better off with than on the streets of fifth avenue). It's once
they serve their part and time that I come to the conclusion when they can be allowed voting rights. That dosn't stop them from thinking though
and influenicing either.