[Kizzy]

Do you agree Britain should comply with the European Court of Human Rights, and give those serving prison sentences their right to vote?

[King Gizzard]

No, they've abused their human rights so they should be not allowed this one, and in some cases they have taken away the right to vote for someone else

[Livia]

No. It's one of the privileges they lose when they're convicted of a crime.

[Marcus.]

no they dont

[Redway]

It would depend on the crime but as a general rule, no. Would you seriously expect a murderer (for example) to be legible to vote?

[MTVN]

I think the main focus of prison should be rehabilitation and denying them the vote unnecessarily hinders that, if we say we live in a democracy where the people have the right to choose how we're governed then the state shouldn't be able to restrict that and pick and choose who can partake in it and who can't. There are a lot of prisoners who are very politically astute and it's fair that they be allowed the means to express that, your average prisoner isn't a crazed murderer or rapist or whatever, it's a normal human being who could have committed their crime for any number of reasons and should be given the support to be able to re enter society as a law abiding citizen; retaining their right to vote is a part of that

[the truth]

I would let them keep the vote. because every prisoners situation varies so enormously, some are murderers but some are there for not being able to pay their council tax or too many parking tickets....the new bill does put in an adendim to allow those with 6 months or less left to vote, so Id let them keep it, many wont bother voting anyway. I would also dare say, it would be too advantageous for the conservatives if prisoners dont get the right. as a larger proportion of prisoners are poorer people and therefore more labour voters by default

[King Gizzard]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I think the main focus of prison should be rehabilitation and denying them the vote unnecessarily hinders that, if we say we live in a democracy where the people have the right to choose how we're governed then the state shouldn't be able to restrict that and pick and choose who can partake in it and who can't. There are a lot of prisoners who are very politically astute and it's fair that they be allowed the means to express that, your average prisoner isn't a crazed murderer or rapist or whatever, it's a normal human being who could have committed their crime for any number of reasons and should be given the support to be able to re enter society as a law abiding citizen; retaining their right to vote is a part of that

a point well made but there are a lot of prisoners that will not learn and keep offending, however much rehabilitation you give them, it would be hard to differentiate between those who are responsible enough to vote and those that are not

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Nathan

a point well made but there are a lot of prisoners that will not learn and keep offending, however much rehabilitation you give them, it would be hard to differentiate between those who are responsible enough to vote and those that are not

exactly so why punish them all, when theres so much vast difference between them all? the worst prisoners will probably be too busy causing chaos to bother voting

[King Gizzard]

I think if you had to choose in that case it would have to be against letting them have the vote, there isn't time to decide whether someone is allowed to vote or not depending on their circumstances

Afterall they did commit a crime, no matter what their motivation

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I think if you had to choose in that case it would have to be against letting them have the vote, there isn't time to decide whether someone is allowed to vote or not depending on their circumstances

Afterall they did commit a crime, no matter what their motivation

well I disagree. one blanket ban for all seems to harsh and also favour one political party over another. I dont see the point in this extra punishment. better to let them vote and keep an active interest in the country imo

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I think the main focus of prison should be rehabilitation and denying them the vote unnecessarily hinders that, if we say we live in a democracy where the people have the right to choose how we're governed then the state shouldn't be able to restrict that and pick and choose who can partake in it and who can't. There are a lot of prisoners who are very politically astute and it's fair that they be allowed the means to express that, your average prisoner isn't a crazed murderer or rapist or whatever, it's a normal human being who could have committed their crime for any number of reasons and should be given the support to be able to re enter society as a law abiding citizen; retaining their right to vote is a part of that

I think the main focus of prison should be punishment tbh

[King Gizzard]

A mixture of both but punishment being more prominent

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Nathan

A mixture of both but punishment being more prominent

Yeah. Exactly.

[MTVN]

Rehabilitation tends to be more effective at reducing crime though, I don't see much point in punishment for the sake of punishment

[the truth]

yeah agreed a mixture of both. rehabilitation should take place within prison walls though, not out in the community.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Rehabilitation tends to be more effective at reducing crime though, I don't see much point in punishment for the sake of punishment

Its not punishment for the sake of punishment though, its punishment for comitting a crime.

[InOne]

For me it depends on the crime...

[thesheriff443]

no votes for lags

[GypsyGoth]

I don't think they should. If they want to take part in society, they should obey the laws of it.

[joeysteele]

I would say the loss of liberty due to a prison sentence warrants also a loss of privileges such as voting too for the time they are in prison.

My only problem is that I believe there are far too many people in prison for things which could be dealt with in other ways.
Anyone in prison for a violent crime and also for any physical violence against property/possessions too should not get a chance to vote though.

[Jordan.]

Yes we need Maloney in the final

[Roy Mars III]

Depends on the crime, or how much longer they are in prison for

[Jack_]

Yes on the whole but I don't see the benefits for those on life-sentences, whom will literally live their last days in prison?

But yes to the rest.

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Its not punishment for the sake of punishment though, its punishment for comitting a crime.

Ah but 'tough' prisons just turn them into the University of Crime. No gain there whatsoever. You're only making hard criminals harder.

[Omah]

Keep it simple - No .....