Should inmates get the vote?

Question

Currently several prison inmates in Scotland are claiming that their inability to vote contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights and are considering taking legal action to the effect that the upcoming elections will be postponed. Certainly they are talking of making damages claims should they be denied the vote. Such claims could result in a bill of £7m ($14m).
Although Scottish elections are likely to be of minimal interest to most people here, what do you think of the underlying point; do convicted criminals have the right to vote whilst incarcerated and if so, should there be "grades" where their ability to vote depends on the crime commited?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6294973.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6297519.stm

Answer 1

Absolutely not. Think of it this way. How can a person cast their vote to direct the laws of a society in which they refuse to obey the already existing laws in that society?
An inmate in prison should focus more on penitence and try to find a way to fit back into society before they can even thinking about voting to help guide that society.

Answer 2

In the USA, if you are convicted of a felony, you are not allowed to register, let alone vote, for a certain amount of time which I believe is about 3 years after the sentence is over. For misdemeanors, you can still vote. I think that it if they are incarcerated, then they should not be allowed to vote. But I do feel that if a person has to live in the free world under the hand(s) of the government and is not incarcerated, then they should be allowed to vote no matter what. After all, don't criminals have to live in the country too?

Answer 3

No. I think committing a crime negates any type of rights a person may have had. say someone who got convicted of selling crack, vs a rapist, who gets to vote? What about serial killers or child molesters? I think it should be across the board - if you are in prison you should not have the same rights as law abiding citizens. Unfortunately, here in the US our tax money pays for thousands of criminals to go to college, health care and cable TV. I can name about 30 families in my community that can't afford those things. But yet, they pay taxes!! With all this crazy entitlement mentality, somewhere common sense has been lost.

Answer 4

I don't believe that inmates should be permitted to vote, however I do think that the laws of 15 states in this country that prohibit ex-felons from voting for life are repressive.

Answer 5

Absolutely not.They broke the laws that were put here by the lawmakers .They are not law abiding citizens so why should they have the right to vote?If they stay clean for a determined length of time voting privaleges can be restored.Just my opinion.

Answer 6

No being in jail constitutes punishment and loss of freedoms. Voting is a right that is lost when you break the law. Dont break the law and you wont be in jail thus not a problem.

Answer 7

Should people who break the law be able to vote for people who create the law.

I say NO!

Answer 8

as long as the rules for our democratic society are dictated by a governing class that endorses and encourages excessive alcohol consumption and rebukes all other forms of mind alteration then locks up its citizens trying to cope in that type of environment, deserve to be scrutinized in every capacity.

Answer 9

No,why should people who commit crimes against other americans,who refuse to follow the laws set have a right to vote for our leader?absolutly not!

Answer 10

NO WAY! If their in prison they have lost their rights.The only crooks that get to vote are the ones in congress.