Recently the European Court of Human Rights made clear to the government that the blanket ban currently enforced on prisoners denying them the right to vote is unlawful. David Cameron has made it clear since his first months in Number 10 that he has no intention of giving the incarcerated the right to voice their opinions in elections. This new statement from the ECHR may be the turning point on the issue, to Mr Cameron’s dismay.
This is an issue which has been debated for years, although Parliament has remained consistent in rejecting the idea. Proponents of giving prisoners the vote argue that it is a vital part of the rehabilitation that prisoners undergo whilst in prison. It is argued that voting is a useful tool in engaging the imprisoned population with their political environment, so that when they are released they are able to make an informed and reasonable decision when it comes to voting. Opponents argue that criminals have no claim to the right to vote, due to their initial unlawful actions. It could be argued that if someone breaks the law, clearly demonstrating a lack of respect for their community, why should they have a say in the governing of it?
Personally, I think that giving prisoners the vote is a risky business, but one that could ultimately pay off. After all, prisoners are one of the most vulnerable groups of people when it comes to government. When money is tight – as it currently is – prisoners are always the victims of cuts first. One could argue that prison is specifically designed to be unpleasant, and I would agree, but what better way to pay your debt to society than by becoming a politically aware, responsible citizen? Rotting in a dark and dingy cell is helping nobody. It exacerbates the problem and furthers the hatred of society, which is the exact reason the crime was committed in the first place. Denying the vote to prisoners is saying to them that they are not good enough for society, and that’s potentially very dangerous
