[Judas]

Originally Posted by Judas

Even though I consider myself left wing on most issues I do feel that its fair that prisoners loose the right to vote. Whether they commited relatively minor crime, or were part of the 'pedo' camp that Tabloid Britain seems obsessed with.

I agree that individual rights are not 'a given' to all; to earn them you must abide by certain codes in that society to be given those rights you protest for. Prisoners know they are at risk of loosing these rights for commiting a crime, which in many cases take rights from other individuals.

Of course, this is not to say I have never commited (relatively minor) 'crimes'. If I were to say start partaking in larger 'crimes' such as dealing, I feel my right to protest against my personal libertys and freedoms being taken away is invalid. In partaking in crimes the indvidual must be aware of the risks, and undoubtly this can include a challenge to my personal freedoms. Heck, it may not be fair. But that is the world we live in - partaking in actions considered 'bad' by wider society need some kind of punishment.