Should Prisoners Be Allowed The Vote

[hazelf]

IN the uk people in prison can't vote.

In europe they can, and europe are trying to make the uk allow it.

what do you think and whats the situation in the USA

Should prisoners be allowed to vote.

 

[Persephone]

Nope. They already made their bed, can't sleep in it too.

 

[TropicThunder]

Taken from an article on giving Canadian inmates the right to vote. The Supreme Court ruled over the federal government to prohibit inmates from voting.

Denying penitentiary inmates the right to vote is more likely to send
messages that undermine respect for the law and democracy than
messages that enhance those values. The legitimacy of the law and the
obligation to obey the law flow directly from the right of every citizen
to vote. To deny inmates the right to vote is to lose an important means
of teaching them democratic values and social responsibility.

The first issue that the Society wanted the Court to recognize was whether Parliament had the authority and the justification to restrict the right to vote. We think that a democracy is premised on the notion that the voters select the politicians, not the politicians who select the voters. Prisoners were the last group to be excluded from
the vote. The Society felt that this restriction, in effect, made them lesser citizens and
placed them outside of the law that applies to others without there been a
demonstrable need to do so. In protecting the rights of prisoners, we feel we protect
the fundamental nature of the right that all citizens enjoy. Governments should not be
permitted to abridge the rights of some only because those people are unpopular.
Voting, like other rights, is not a privilege which government grants to citizens. It is
something that citizens agree are fundamental to a democratic society and place
substantially beyond the reach of politicians to modify.

In other words, voting is a right. Just my opinion. I don't see any reason why inmates shouldn't have the right to vote, as politics affect them just as much, if not more than other citizens.

[On a side note, this is probably something that should be in the P&R forum...]

 

[Tickle Fiend]

Of course.

 

[tickledorange]

No, they should only be allowed to die

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

No, they should only be allowed to die

I sincerely hope this is some type of sarcasm.

This seems kind of like a "duh" to me. Of course prisoners should be allowed to vote. I can't think of any reason they shouldn't be allowed to vote. Does denying them the right to vote promote their rehabilitation? Does it somehow enhance our protection from the ones who are dangerous? I don't see the purpose.

 

[socktickler86]

I don't think they should. By committing a felony, you're saying that you longer wish to abide by the rules of society. Why should you have the right to decide how that society is run?

Remember, feloniess aren't traffic violations or robbing a liquor store, they're serious crimes. Also, we can extend this further. Should convicted felons be allowed to own weapons as well (they are not allowed to in the US)? A normal citizen in the US has every right to have a weapon to protect himself just as every normal citizen has the right to vote.

I think there is some work to be done on what should rightfully be considered a felony, however.

 

[goddess_nemesis]

If they are serving time, no. They lost their rights by committing whatever crime it was that landed them in prison.

If they've served their time and are no longer on probation, they should be allowed to regain that right.

 

[ndj101982]

If they lose their right to freedom, they also deserve to lose their right to vote while their time is being served.

 

[Brock Samson]

Not while incarcerated. And by incarcerated, I don't mean in a holding cell downtown for traffic ticked warrants. I mean state/federal/military prison. But when they are out, they should be granted the right to vote again. I can't see this as a black and white scenario, because many cons are released and live semi-normal lives. It's not right that they can't vote upon their release, because they are once again a part of society, where politics hold sway to some degree.

 

[socktickler86]

Also, remember that the right to vote is not taken away for life. You can request your right to vote after you have served your time. I'm not sure about the details.

So this begs the question, are we talking about in prison or after they've served their time? Does probation count?

 

[Tickleslave83]

They should be allowed to vote once they are released from prison but not while they are in prison. People who commit violent crimes should lose the right to own a weapon though.

 

[Jagermeistered]

I don't believe in prisons, but won't go their... And, save that matter later in the PR forum. Though I would say yes, simply because they are still members of society. Trying not go off on a rant(fist in mouth).

 

[venray]

Those who have committed crimes against society deserve no rights whatsoever and should be isolated from society in every respect while serving their sentence...no TV Computer, Cell phones, etc.

Perhaps when they see what they stand to lose, they will not do it again...

 

[LD_Tickler]

Prisoners should be allowed to vote. Representative government is the single most defining element of a democracy. Either every single adult citizen can vote, or you're not a democracy - you're some pretender that thinks it can determine which segments of the population are worthy of the vote. It doesn't take a genius to see where that can lead.

Prisoners still have rights - they're still citizens. That's why inmates can't legally be tortured, starved, or raped in prison. Why not legalize those things? I mean, if you don't deserve any rights once you've committed a felony, why not?

Prisoners do have rights. To say they don't is factually incorrect, and to say they shouldn't is utterly shocking and demonstrates a childishly simplistic understanding of crime and punishment.

 

[Jagermeistered]

Those who have committed crimes against society deserve no rights whatsoever and should be isolated from society in every respect while serving their sentence...no TV Computer, Cell phones, etc.

Perhaps when they see what they stand to lose, they will not do it again...

Your argument is very regressive... It's like we all never graduated from grade school.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Those who have committed crimes against society deserve no rights whatsoever and should be isolated from society in every respect while serving their sentence...no TV Computer, Cell phones, etc.

Perhaps when they see what they stand to lose, they will not do it again...

I find this point of view, along with many of others expressed here, utterly appalling and severly lacking in basic human compassion.

I would love to see how fast many of you would change your tune if you or someone you care about were imprisoned - particularly for a nonviolent offense.

Prisoners should be allowed to vote. Representative government is the single most defining element of a democracy. Either every single adult citizen can vote, or you're not a democracy - you're some pretender that thinks it can determine which segments of the population are worthy of the vote. It doesn't take a genius to see where that can lead.

Prisoners still have rights - they're still citizens. That's why inmates can't legally be tortured, starved, or raped in prison. Why not legalize those things? I mean, if you don't deserve any rights once you've committed a felony, why not?

Prisoners do have rights. To say they don't is factually incorrect, and to say they shouldn't is utterly shocking and demonstrates a childishly simplistic understanding of crime and punishment.

Would you look at that - some basic common sense. I knew there was some around here somewhere.

 

[love feet]

Taken from an article on giving Canadian inmates the right to vote. The Supreme Court ruled over the federal government to prohibit inmates from voting.






In other words, voting is a right. Just my opinion. I don't see any reason why inmates shouldn't have the right to vote, as politics affect them just as much, if not more than other citizens.

[On a side note, this is probably something that should be in the P&R forum...]

They Got right 2002 & ware able to exercise it in 2006!
See this

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060112/elxn_prisoners_vote_060111/20060113?s_name=election2006&no_ads

 

[MasterPaladin]

Everyone seems to be forgetting that you innocent until proven guilty and that is why here in NY prisoners awaiting trial are allowed to vote however once convicted of a crime that right is removed. Prisoners in NYC have prisoner rights and there called Minimum Standards. I don't want to get into that as it would be to lengthy.
I agree with the voting in this matter

 

[Amnesiac]

I don't think they should. By committing a felony, you're saying that you longer wish to abide by the rules of society. Why should you have the right to decide how that society is run?
- socktickler86

The presumption, of course, is that the prisoner in question intended to violate the rules of society out of lack of interest. Our penal codes exist to establish precedent for course of action in the event that a citizen breaks the law, for whatever reason. But for every, say, 50 prisoners who break the law with flagrant intent, there's likely to be 5 prisoners in prison for breaking the law by accident or mistake, or even on technicality--don't forget how often politics inflames the course of action in courts.

After all, it's easy to be against rights for prisoners until you one day BECOME one. A bill to finance anti-prison rape tactics might not get your vote as a John Q. Public, but you'd give your left nut for the right to step into a booths on that one if your name was #81734-B.

If you're going to eliminate a prisoner's right to vote because they refuse to abide by the rules of society, shouldn't you establish that they ARE refusing to abide by the rules of society? In which case, a crackhead might have a greater right to vote than a mobster or gangster because the latter is a member of a feudal system, not a federal system.

But certainly sociopaths and psychopaths should not have the right to vote, in prison or otherwise.

Not while incarcerated. And by incarcerated, I don't mean in a holding cell downtown for traffic ticked warrants. I mean state/federal/military prison. But when they are out, they should be granted the right to vote again. I can't see this as a black and white scenario, because many cons are released and live semi-normal lives. It's not right that they can't vote upon their release, because they are once again a part of society, where politics hold sway to some degree.
- Poetic

I'd agree that some suspensions are called for, but the outright elimination is dubious because of so many ambiguous and mitigating circumstances. Given that much of society's crime is largely pathological these days, I think you'd have to take that into account to determine how MUCH of a restrictive nature there should be on voting.

 

[venray]

Your argument is very regressive... It's like we all never graduated from grade school.

Coddling those convicted of crimes while ignoring the victims of said crimes in many ways is far more "regressive".... Once convicted, a criminals rights should be severely restricted at best.....once time is served they get them back....it would be a far bigger determent to crime than we have in place now....

 

[maniactickler]

Absolutely not! thats rediculous. it works in favor of the left though. they use inmates illegally as voters. not too mention dead people. ahhh...you just have to admire the sleaziness of the left. i do think once youve served your time you can vote again, unless its for murder.

 

[thundergatti]

Prisoners should be allowed to vote. Representative government is the single most defining element of a democracy. Either every single adult citizen can vote, or you're not a democracy - you're some pretender that thinks it can determine which segments of the population are worthy of the vote. It doesn't take a genius to see where that can lead.

Prisoners still have rights - they're still citizens. That's why inmates can't legally be tortured, starved, or raped in prison. Why not legalize those things? I mean, if you don't deserve any rights once you've committed a felony, why not?

Prisoners do have rights. To say they don't is factually incorrect, and to say they shouldn't is utterly shocking and demonstrates a childishly simplistic understanding of crime and punishment.

Don't really appreciate the implication that the UK is a "pretender" and not a democratic country. The real pretence to democracy here is that the european courts wish to force this on the Uk thus undermining every single citizens vote by overruling our elected government. Go Democracy!

Also the comment about where determining which segments of the population are worthy of a vote will eventually lead. It's not leading anywhere, we're not some corrupt, backward nation who are determining who gets the vote for a political agenda. It's more a case of recognising the fact that voting is more than just a right, it is a massive civic responsibilty.

To be honest i don't agree with withholding the vote from all prisoners, however there are some people who do not deserve the responsibilty of shaping their nations laws and beliefs.

To say that every single adult citizen should be able to vote i find pretty niave. The whole point of having a to reach a certain age before you vote is an acknowledgement that you can't bestow the vote to just anyone and in our childlike and adolescent years we are considered unfit to vote. If we are going to make that distincion and discriminate via age then why not the same with psychopaths, sociopaths or the mentally ill.

Like i said, it's not a black and white issue and i'd be fairly happy with certain prisoners getting the vote. Whatever the outcome though i would be much, much happier if it was our representative goverment calling the shots.

 

[thundergatti]

Taken from an article on giving Canadian inmates the right to vote. The Supreme Court ruled over the federal government to prohibit inmates from voting.






In other words, voting is a right. Just my opinion. I don't see any reason why inmates shouldn't have the right to vote, as politics affect them just as much, if not more than other citizens.

[On a side note, this is probably something that should be in the P&R forum...]

"politics affect them just as much, if not more than other citizens"

I would have thought the opposite to be honest, most of the long term prisoners are fairly ostracized and live in a microcosm of wider society.

Most of the decisions, policies, reforms in education, health, transport etc made by the goverment won't affect prisoners directly as much as the rest of society.

 

[obama666]

NO!!! Only a dopey liberal would be concerned if Charles Manson has the right to vote!!!