General Chat

It was talked about on Alan Titchmarsh last week, there is still a campaign to lift the ban on votes for prisoners at elections.

European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2005 that inmates should have the vote. Parliament's Joint Committee of Human Rights have been campaigning ever since to have our laws changed to reflect that ruling and give prisoners the right to vote, or the next general election could be invalid.

Now I always thought that when a person is sent to prison they forfeit their rights in society...to me that includes the right to vote.

What do you think?

No they dont deserve a vote,

I agree with you TW.

Losing the right to vote is part and parcel of taking the medicine and doing their time.

If they don't like it...TOUGH. Maybe they'll think twice before reoffending xx

I agree .No voting for prisoners.

When convicted of a crime against the state you lose all privlages that certainly includes the right to vote

The thing with the European Court of Human Rights they said that all inmates should have luxuries that some low end earners don't have like tele, and now internet !

These people commited a crime against society and with out witch hunting, I believe that prison should be a deterrent not a bloddy hotel for them.
Believe me I know about prisons

But that's the argument. These days prison is not meant to be seen as punishment, but as rehabilitation.

(Obviously that doesnt' work or they wouldn't reoffend more often than not).

But...and this is what worries me...what if they won their case after the general election, and we are told it is invalid because of this ruling?

Doesn't bear thinking about really, I think there would be riots.

i think they shouldnt vote to, xxx

I guess it would depend on how close the election result was !

Would be way too expensive to do a re run anyhow surely?.....

Next thing we'll be told is that it's against the prisoners human rights to be locked up in the first place !!! xx

TW we definatey sit in the same corner here. and worry about the same things.

I don't know the answer and I doubt even the person who should know it does, I find the penal system in the UK these days a tad like a holiday camp for those who are dangerous. Your poor *** theives etc do hard time but the others live like it is a 1class hotel

and don't anybody tell me different!

What about the elderly lady who was sent to prison for withholding her council tax.
A father who protects his family from armed burglars when he is sent to prison for injuring one of the burglars.

Or in recent cases, a mother accused of murdering one of her babies that die in a cot death, have they no rights in society.
I think everyone whatever their circumstances have rights, I'm not talking about the rights of prisoners to have TVs and play stations, but rights of humanity, and one of them is the right to vote

George...I like you :) lol

The right to vote in the UK should Not include prisons they gave those rights up when they committed the crimes

George I understand that but there is a lot more real prisoners there then the ones who shouldn't be. No they don't get a vote, next year they will because hopefully they will be let out due to their innocence

Prisoners give up their freedom, not their rights.

George please understand that I am not against the rights for a prisoner just I believe that they shouldn't have the right to vote

What about ex-pats? They go to live abroad, no longer contribute to the British economy or society and yet can continue to vote in British elections? I saw something recently about this which I think said they are allowed to vote for up to 15 years after leaving the country. So, they can vote for the Government that will set the rules for a country they don't even live in!!

An article here, if you want to read more...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/feb/13/prisoners-voting-rights

George part of freedom is the right to vote ..you say they give up their freedom yes so they give up that part what makes them society the freedom to vote.

In addition to convicted prisoners, those banned from voting include members of the Lords, anyone found guilty of election corruption within the past five years and people with learning disabilities or a mental illness deemed incapable of making a reasoned judgment.

Does that then mean, they also give up their rights to learn, their rights to religion, their rights to humanity.
Would you also say that about political prisoners..?