Should Prisoners Be Allowed To Vote?

[Deskdiary]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/oct/29/government-planning-to-allow-some-prisoners-to-vote-european-court-human-rights

If the voting rights remain limited to prisoners with less than a year to serve, then I have no real issue with it (although I do wonder why they can't wait a year), but if the year starts to creep to be two years, and then five and so on, I would object.

There's no suggestion the time period will be amended to include longer term prisoners, but purely for the sake of the argument if it was, I would struggle with the idea of allowing people who have chosen to live outside of society's rules have a say in electing people whose job it is to make those rules.

[Jackdaw33]

Order! Order!

The House will listen to the honourable member for Wormwood Scrubs.

[Gladeian]

No

[jourdain2]

No.

[Jahulaye]

Those that said yes, would you like to give powers to vote for your friendly local rapists? How about your local park paedophile? Psychos that go around stabbing/axeing or hammering heads of innocent people? How about terrorists? Hmmm...

^Apart from that lot I'd just say yes!

[horseshoes]

No.

[bhg481]

and all the criminals can vote for the candidate who wants to cut police funding - great.

[EDDIE51]

As probably the only AB member who has worked inside a jail teaching adult literacy , I can vouch for the fact that many prisoners are effectively illiterate. In most cases that was a major factor in their becoming criminals and hence in jail. Very poor job prospects for someone who can hardly read or write!
Rehabilitation to 'normal' life outside is vital for long term prisoners nearing release to come to terms with getting back into society, that is why I am in favor of this proposal.

[EDDIE51]

^ one of my main occupations was writing letters for and reading letters recieved by prisoners who were not able to do it for themselves. It was an emotional experience, how many of you have had a grown 'hard' man cry because you have had to read him a letter telling him his wife has left him?

[mikey4444]

Eddie....I did some voluntary work in prisons, back in the late 70's, teaching pottery. I was assisting my Pottery Teacher. I hated it and after a few months, gave it up.

The curious smell that you get in Prisons.....like a mixture of Jeyes Fluid and pee ( which it probably was, of course) The constant jangle of keys and the slamming of iron gates got me down. I also worked in Prisons a few times, with BT, repairing their phone systems and payphones, but I'm glad I don't have to do it now.

[naomi24]

Eddie, if that is intended to make others feel guilty and tug at the heartstrings.... it doesn't.

[mikey4444]

Eddie ....ignore her !

[EDDIE51]

Mikey Yes you get that, but at least the clatter of chamber pots during slopping out is a thing of the past.
Naomi, I am just reporting my expierience , I do not expect sympathy particularly from you.

[naomi24]

Mikey, what's that^ all about?

[naomi24]

That^ was to Mikey.

Eddie, why would you like people to have sympathy for criminals?

[mikey4444]

Eddie....lol !

[naomi24]

Mikey, oops. You've ignored my question.

[Prudie]

So if they're illiterate how can they make a reasoned decision on who to vote for?
OK that was tongue in cheek a bit but the lines of who should and who shouldn't and at what stage of the sentence are so debatable that a flat no is the only answer.

[bainbrig]

Contrary to Linda's nonsense earlier, I would have thought most criminals were TORY voters, as all they are doing is taking capitalism to its ultimate level.

[Jahulaye]

" It was an emotional experience, how many of you have had a grown 'hard' man cry because you have had to read him a letter telling him his wife has left him?"

Aww..That sounds sooo sad until you wonder 2 seconds later was this man in for abusing children? A serial rapist? Caving someones nans skull with a sledge hammer.

Were you privvy to the prisoners reasons for their sentences?

[EDDIE51]

Mikey , I don't need words when other express so eloquently what I am intending to convey ! Thanks again naomi .