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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that prisoners shouldn't have the right to vote?

128 replies

LadyOfTheManor · 10/02/2011 20:51

Blah blah blah human rights. Surely they gave up their human rights when they committed anti-civilised/social crimes?

The EU courts are putting pressure on...I think it's ridiculous. They shouldn't have a say of how society is treated when they have been purposefully removed from it.

I say we make voting "legal" for them. But deny them the right to leave the prison in order to do it. Surely that would work?

OP posts:
greedychops · 10/02/2011 20:54

I assume they would get a postal vote.

Original poster
LadyOfTheManor · 10/02/2011 20:55

But are they entitled to a vote?

OP posts:
NinkyNonker · 10/02/2011 20:55

Depends what they're in for I guess if that's the argument. Not sure where I stand to be honest, need to give it some thought.

reallytired · 10/02/2011 20:56

The prisoners would just have a postal vote rather like people stuck in a nursing home or a mental hospital.

I am not too bothered by prisoners having the right to vote. I suspect that the biggest hurdle that prisoners will face is the ablity to read the ballot paper.

Original poster
LadyOfTheManor · 10/02/2011 20:58

ha ha ha ha :O

I just think this should be one of the perks of society that they forfeited when they broke the law.

OP posts:
OhKit · 10/02/2011 21:00

Whether you like it or not, the outcome of elections directly effects them so I believe they should have the right to vote.

Original poster
LadyOfTheManor · 10/02/2011 21:03

It isn't the outcome of the election or the fact it's to make "their lives better when they're released" it's more to do with the option in which to vote. I believe the option shouldn't be available to them. They're clearly not bothered with law enforcement, so why bother investing in the making of the decision?

OP posts:
kaj32 · 10/02/2011 21:06

The outcome of elections effect my 9 month old daughter, lets give her a vote too.

They should not get the vote. When they are sent to prison they lose the right to be an active member of society. If you want to vote don't commit a crime.

Trinaluce · 10/02/2011 21:06

No, I don't think they should have the right. The whole human rights thing really hacks me off tbh - anyone who commits a crime against someone else should understand that the law of this land states that when they are imprisoned they lose the right to vote. If they want to keep that right they shouldn't commit the crime in the first place. Prison is supposed to be a PUNISHMENT. When I put DD on the naughty step she's not allowed her muzzy, toys, to play with the dogs etc!

KaraStarbuckThrace · 10/02/2011 21:12

Human rights is about the rigth to have access to food, water, clean accommodation and access to medical treatment. As well as the right to be protected from harm.
Prisoners have that. They don't deserve anything else.
No they should not fucking get the vote - I agree with KAJ32 - if they care enough to vote they should have cared enough not to commit the crime that put them inside in the first place.

thenightsky · 10/02/2011 21:13

Agree with OP - they have taken themselves out of society, so shouldn't have a say.

StarlightPrincess · 10/02/2011 21:14

If they have infringed someone else's human rights by their crime, then no.

tiredemma · 10/02/2011 21:18

I wonder if this will extend to patients detained under criminal sections of the Mental Health Act? They are also not permitted to vote currently.

harecare · 10/02/2011 21:22

They're in prison, are the majority of prisoners really bothered? If they don't like the conditions of prison, don't do the crime.
If they did have the vote I really wouldn't be bothered either, most won't vote and perhaps if they do then when they get out they might respect the laws of the land as they have a "voice".
Either way, the government should just say they'll never have it so stop asking, or concede that they will allow them to have a vote once they've got the procedure underway so stop asking.
I don't want to listen to ex prisoners saying they're being discriminated against. I really don't care about their "right" to vote. They also have their freedom taken away, is that discrimination or a just punishment?

celebmum · 10/02/2011 21:26

I can see both side of this one OP, on the one hand i agree that prisioners gave up this right when they committed whatever crime they committed, and so therefore should not be allowed to vote.
But.. on the otherhand the whole idea of prision is a system that is designed to rehabilitate offenders and prepare them for life in the outside world which like it or not they ate still a part of so maybe yes those that are on some kind of rehabilitation programme should be given the right to vote as it would directly affect them.. those who are in for life/have long sentences remaining should'nt?

Aitch · 10/02/2011 21:29

problem is, though, that you don't know what kind of govt people will get in future, and who they will be throwing into prison.

Trinaluce · 10/02/2011 21:30

I heard an opinion on the radio I quite liked: give them the right to vote in the last year of their sentence. That way it's a rehabilitation and a reward for behaving themselves inside - and lifers wouldn't get one.

Original poster
LadyOfTheManor · 10/02/2011 21:37

yes those that are on some kind of rehabilitation programme should be given the right to vote as it would directly affect them.. those who are in for life/have long sentences remaining should'nt?

I don't agree Celeb, I think that being removed from society is their punishment-and any right to "have a say" in it. They may want to vote on "less harsh prison sentences" or "more harsh" etc etc. TBH the majority of ill/un educated people tend not to vote, these make up a massive percentage of prisoners-but now they've been told "it's a human right" I can guarantee they will start kicking off inside.

Russia allow their prisoners the right to vote, but don't allow them to leave the prison to go to the polling station.

I think we should do it that way.

OP posts:
Aitch · 10/02/2011 21:40

so what if there is a military junta, and you are thrown into prison because they don't like you speaking out against them? this is a major ethical question, imo.

fluffles · 10/02/2011 21:41

the issue is ONLY about those who are in for less than four years, and therefore will be out within the time the results are still important.

i don't currently know if prisoners on remand get to vote but i think they SHOULD as they've not been found guilty of anything.

and i know that in the US they were accused of putting a lot of poor, black voters in jail for a few days/weeks over the period of the election in florida when the big al gore/ george bush thing happened... i can't help feeling that if you are sentenced for a very very short sentence that just happens to be over the time of a general election then that is unfair.

fluffles · 10/02/2011 21:43

i also think there's an argument for letting 16yr olds vote as they'll be 18 half way through the new government and if we get people into the habit of voting early it is a good thing.

Original poster
LadyOfTheManor · 10/02/2011 21:45

I'm yet to meet an 16 year old who has the blindest bit of interest in politics.

OP posts:
Hullygully · 10/02/2011 21:46

what the feckin fuck is going on around here these days?

They are being punished for a crime (that they have been found guilty of, but may or may not have committed).

That punishment means their loss of liberty, why on earth should it mean their loss of vote? It's illogical.

Trinaluce · 10/02/2011 21:46

I'd introduce you to my sister - but she turned 17 a couple of weeks ago Grin

Original poster
LadyOfTheManor · 10/02/2011 21:47

Pity she's still too young to vote.

I think they should raise it to 21. Same for alcohol.

OP posts: