prisoners and voting
By spiritwolf52
@spiritwolf52 (2300)
March 23, 2007 4:16am CST
I have read in the paper today, here in Scotland, that some prisoners are demanding the right to vote. They are saying it is against their human rights to be denied the right to vote. If the prisoners win this, then it could stop the elections here in May.
I think they gave up their rights when they broke the law and were sent to jail or prison. They gave up their rights as law abiding citizens. Why should we coddle them? They are already being compensated for slopping out their cells. Well, what do they think prison is, a spa?
If you broke the law, do your time and stop whining. If and when you are released into the general public again, you will get back those rights you lost while in prison.
Why should we feel sorry for these prisoners? Judging by what I have seen on the news, the cells in the UK are a lot more private than they are in the US.
What are your thoughts about giving the prisoners the "right" to vote?
9 people like this
22 responses
@classy56 (2880)
• United States
23 Mar 07
i feel prisoners lost their right to vote.an they should have thought about this before the did their crime.i have seen some prison that looks like hotels,i think some prison give inmates to much enjoyment.they lost their human rights the day they went to prison.i cant see the goverment letting them vote.or even think about passing this law!
1 person likes this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
23 Mar 07
this debate has been going round the prison service for at least the last ten years. I agree with you that prisoners, once convicted, give up human rights at the prison gate, however, THE eUROPEAN COMMUNITY THINKS OTHERWISE. Whatever we, as individuals think about it,votes for them in prison are coming over the next ten years. I feel most prisoners are politically illiterate and are in need of sustained education before any such move could be considered. I mean, in my prison we have a fairly large contingent of convicted terrorists who have their declared aim the destruction of the British state, because they do not believe in our system of democracy. We are now in grave danger of having to allow these people the vote in our elections. Only after we have educated such views out of this incarcerated population could we ever consider giving the vote to such individuals
blessed be
@spiritwolf52 (2300)
•
23 Mar 07
I know, the dreaded EU. I wish they would just let us police our own countries. There are times when I think the prisoners have more rights than we do.
When I lived in Alaska, there was a convicted murderer serving life. She complained about her treatment, she was bored. Well, they already have a fully equipped gym, cable tv in their cells and a microwave. What more do they want? They certainly have more than the homeless do!
I think we have lost the bigger picture here. If they didn't break the law and ended up in prison, then they would all be home enjoying these rights that they are now demanding. Crazy, what is this country coming to?
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
24 Mar 07
Wow, what an awesome posting as always. So hats off to you with another + rating. I am with you 100%. They do not have a right to vote. They lost those priveledges when they broke the law. Personally, I think that they are given too much in jail. And, we the honest hard working people get stuck feeding them, housing them, giving them their leisure sport equipments, and so forth. I'm sick of it and their stupid requests.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
27 Mar 07
Many thanks once again dear for the best response. Your postings are so good, I love to reply to them. Keep up the great work my friend.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
23 Mar 07
You know normally I have an opinion about everything but I really don't know on this one, If there prisoner is there for life, no he certainly doesn't need to vote, but if he got locked in the slammer for let's say 30 days and then he misses his right to vote that is tough.
@spiritwolf52 (2300)
•
23 Mar 07
30 days isn't a very long time. Let them wait till they get out. We are treating prisoners with kid gloves. It's time to get tough.
@twils2 (1812)
• United States
7 May 07
I couldnt agree with you more. I personally dont think prisoners should have any rights. Maybe the right to breath stale air and eat slop. thats the way it should be. Take care!!
@mansha (6298)
• India
28 Mar 07
I feel when they committed their first act of breaking the law, the ceased to be a member of the society. they became anti-social, inhuman and criminals. I think they are there due to a reason and they should be ashamed of their deeds rather than quoting their rights.
they should not be allowed that and once when they coeoutr they can always vote if they mend their ways.
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
25 Mar 07
The way I understood it, losing the right to vote was supposed to be one of the deterrents to crime--I agree, that while they are in prison, they should lose that right. I do think that once they are out of the prison system jurisdiction,(including parole, and probation) that right should be restored. I believe in the US if you commit a felony, you permanently give up that right. I do not agree with that, unless it was something like election fraud.
@MrCoolantSpray (1005)
• United States
25 Mar 07
What a load of bull. Voting is a privilege, not a right.
@Bizziebod (3497)
•
31 Mar 07
I absolutely agree with you prisoners gave up any rights they had when they broke the law! This country is now getting so soft with prisoners they are like holiday camps to many! Bring back national service and make prisoners go and fight for their country I'm sure that would deter many to stop offending!
@eeseharden (603)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I feel that when they are incarcerated they have given up their right to vote while in prison. They have far more rights as it is. I agree that they should not be allowed to vote during their sentence.
@palpalsky (899)
• United States
30 Mar 07
quite diffcult to answer ..however if person had committed crime ..our job is to improve the person ..well if we take his or her rights we are making his life more isolated and filled with hatred ..i think they should have right to vote
@weemam (13372)
•
24 Mar 07
no i don't think they should . Just outside stirling here a prison called Glenochil and they are complaining that the new part just built is too hot lol , some of us pensioners would like to say we are too warm in winter xx
@shrekk (561)
• Pakistan
24 Mar 07
I think prisoners SHOULD be given the right to vote. They haven't actually cancelled their citizenship in the country, they've just committed a crime, and they're suffering for it now as a compensation, so at least give them the rest of their rights. I don't think just because they're prisoners it means we ought to keep them aloof of everything. It sure is hard to allow them to vote knowing what they've done, but I do feel it's their right.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
24 Mar 07
its my first time that ive heared on prisoners clamoring to vote..whats behind this?? any motive perhaps(politics)not sure if by going to prison the right to vote is then suspended..i think they should not given the right to vote coz politicians may use them to win who knows...on all the promises given to them...
@antOnette6686 (90)
• Philippines
24 Mar 07
They definitely don't deserve to be given the right to vote. These are one of the consequences that they have to face after disobedience of the law.
@michelledarcy (5220)
•
23 Mar 07
I think that prisoners don't deserve to vote. As you rightly said they gave their priviledges up when they did the crime.
They need to working off their debt to society not deciding how it is being run.
@lowyder (282)
• Canada
24 Mar 07
Well If they murdered someone Or did something bad then why should they deserve equall rights thats like me going and shooting someone and saying i dont deserve to go to jail so i think they shudl not have the right to vote if they wanted equall rights why did they do the crime to be in jail in the first place i mean its called common senses people and yes that should be the way because they should have stayed out of trouble hence " you do the Crime You do the time "
Low
