Should prisoners be allowed to vote?

[Liva]

All that comes to mind after reading the title is that if they made a choice so bad to end up in prison, why should their choices also affect us after they're put away?


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[GommeInc]

But prisoners still have their basic human rights, even in prison they are still human beings. Also, it is stated in the United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights that one of them is the right to vote. Therefore, shouldn't prisoners be allowed it?

I'd say the right to life/liberty is more fundamental than voting, and when you commit a crime your liberty is the first to go. Basic human rights should be about life, freedom and well-being - so freedom from torture, freedom of expression and belief, liberty etc.

If people wanted to vote, they shouldn't do the crime. Treat it as an incentive to not be a criminal. If you're a criminal, you shouldn't have a say in the democratic process which developed those laws in the first place. Provided your basic rights are kept (freedom from torture, freedom of expression/belief and to some extent liberty) that's all you really need. Not being able to vote won't kill you.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Somebody pointed out on this subject the other day - I forget where and who - that voting is a civil right, not a human right.

And no, prisoners shouldn't be allowed to vote. The ECHR should be told to **** off. I've had enough of putting it nicely. I am so sick of more concern being shown towards criminals and evil people than for the victims and the law abiding vast majority. I am so sick of foreign judges and politicians lording it over this country making our elections virtually pointless. I am so sick of politicians and judges doing the total opposite of what public opinion is.

If only the politicians, judges and hand wringers put as much thought into the welfare of the law abiding masses than they do with criminals.

[GommeInc]

And no, prisoners shouldn't be allowed to vote. The ECHR should be told to **** off. I've had enough of putting it nicely. I am so sick of more concern being shown towards criminals and evil people than for the victims and the law abiding vast majority. I am so sick of foreign judges and politicians lording it over this country making our elections virtually pointless. I am so sick of politicians and judges doing the total opposite of what public opinion is.

Technically we have and always will ignore the ECHR and tell them to go away when it comes to prisoners' votes. It's the only thing Governments can't be bothered touching as it's a non-problem - even for Labour and the Conservatives.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Technically we have and always will ignore the ECHR and tell them to go away when it comes to prisoners' votes. It's the only thing Governments can't be bothered touching as it's a non-problem - even for Labour and the Conservatives.

Ah but see, I think and fear that they'll do it the sneaky way and say "well look guys, our masters in Brussels are only concerned about human rights and you know, we've reached a nice compromise where only petty criminals will get the vote and not the nasty ones" which will totally ignore the fact that most 'petty criminals' are people who habitually offend and make people's lives a continual misery on the lawless estates where they live in.

They'll use it as a political football for some time and then quietly cave in when the time comes. I have nothing but contempt for the lot of them.

[GommeInc]

Ah but see, I think and fear that they'll do it the sneaky way and say "well look guys, our masters in Brussels are only concerned about human rights and you know, we've reached a nice compromise where only petty criminals will get the vote and not the nasty ones" which will totally ignore the fact that most 'petty criminals' are people who habitually offend and make people's lives a continual misery on the lawless estates where they live in.

They'll use it as a political football for some time and then quietly cave in when the time comes. I have nothing but contempt for the lot of them.

It's worrying for no reason Stop being a worrier Teresa May always brushes it under the carpet and the Law Commission have said it doesn't violated the ECHR no matter how much Brussels or anyone else argues as it doesn't impede on free and open elections.

[LiquidLuck.]

But imagine that you come out of prison, after serving your time and regretting what you've done. In this case I'm not saying you murdered someone, or something else as bad as that, but a lighter crime, lets suppose. Wouldn't you like to know that your opinion is being heard, and by allowing prisoners to vote and giving them the feeling that their opinion still counts, it would make it less likely that they wouldn't commit a crime again? What most prisoners want is to feel integrated in their communities again.

[GommeInc]

But imagine that you come out of prison, after serving your time and regretting what you've done. In this case I'm not saying you murdered someone, or something else as bad as that, but a lighter crime, lets suppose. Wouldn't you like to know that your opinion is being heard, and by allowing prisoners to vote and giving them the feeling that their opinion still counts, it would make it less likely that they wouldn't commit a crime again? What most prisoners want is to feel integrated in their communities again.

They are perfectly at liberty to go to their MP to voice an opinion. Also, no one who votes thinks their voice is being heard or they feel satisfied their opinion counts - this it the UK, not 'Murica Giving them something small like the right to vote won't stop people committing crimes - the fact serious crimes rates are dropping only really supports a no motion if anything.

[LiquidLuck.]

They are perfectly at liberty to go to their MP to voice an opinion. Also, no one who votes thinks their voice is being heard or they feel satisfied their opinion counts - this it the UK, not 'Murica Giving them something small like the right to vote won't stop people committing crimes - the fact serious crimes rates are dropping only really supports a no motion if anything.

Well at least it's not North Korea either. Me, when I thought of it, I was against prisoners voting when I started this thread.Now with the research I've been doing, I'd probably say I would allow prisoners with minor crimes/sentences to vote, of course only AFTER they got out of jail. I think prisoners like to come outside and not realize what they lost, but what they still have.

[GommeInc]

Well at least it's not North Korea either. Me, when I thought of it, I was against prisoners voting when I started this thread.Now with the research I've been doing, I'd probably say I would allow prisoners with minor crimes/sentences to vote, of course only AFTER they got out of jail. I think prisoners like to come outside and not realize what they lost, but what they still have.

You don't lose the right to vote indefinitely. Ex-convicts can vote. Once you leave prison, you've served your time and can vote.