Why do you think prisoners should NOT be allowed to vote in an election?

Question

I'm doing a debate and i need more points. This is in Canada btw.

Answer 1

Because they've harmed society, which is why they were convicted and removed from it. Since they've chosen not to participate in society, they shouldn't have a say in the running of it.

Answer 2

Okay, I don't claim to be Canadian. But in general, the reason to NOT have criminals voting.....
First off, voting is not a right, it is a privilege. Prisoners have lost the privilege of driving, living where they choose, drinking, etc. Why let them vote?
Second, didn't they already make a bad decision? Whatever got them into prison shows that they are at that point lacking the proper decision making skills. Why should they have input on who is running their country?
What is the cost of either getting them to where the voting takes place, or getting the voting to them? I know in America it costs a lot to house inmates. This is an unnecessary cost to the general public, since voting is not necessary to life.
And isn't that what prison is supposed to be about? House them, feed them, clothe them, and maybe give them an education if they haven't graduated, and maybe a skill in hopes they will work and not commit crimes, many of which are money motivated. But voting is not something necessary to keeping them alive and safe. And yes, part of the thing is, we have to protect their safety, while protecting the safety of the free public. If you transport them by busses to vote in public, are you not endangering the general public, and possibly the other inmates as well, if a few try to escape on their trip out to vote? If you bring the voting in to them, then you have to have people oversee that, people who are going to know about voting, but have no clue how to protect themselves in a prison ( I was a prison guard for a bit, my mom still is).
Since those people are PAYING a debt to society, I don't think they should be able to influence that society until the debt is paid back.
I hope my opinions and thoughts help, even though I am an American. But I cannot resist helping out on some of these things. Good luck.

Answer 3

As a Canadian, I believe prisoners should not be allowed to vote because they lost their rights/freedoms when they broke the law.
Voting is a privilege, not a right. Rights must be earned. I truly believe that those who died fighting in the Great War (WWI ) but not eliminating WWII fighting for our freedom would certainly have an injustice done to them.

Answer 4

They should be allowed to vote. After they have paid their debt to society, there is no law that strips them of their citizenship and the right to vote is sacrosanct, regarded as sacred and inviolable, in the Constitution!

Most felonies are not violent and many never go to jail!

Answer 5

Prisoners SHOULD be allowed to vote once their debt to society has been paid. The concept behind prison is rehabilitation and once this individual has been deemed rehabilitated and ready for society, their rights should be reinstated accordingly.

Answer 6

Because they proved that they are incapable of making good sound decisions - and who wants criminals having a say in the politics? It is like a kid voting for who to get punished by - mom or dad? The child will vote for the weaker -- same with a criminal. Unable to clearly vote for what is best for the community.

Answer 7

Criminal should always loose their right to vote. It's part of the punishment and I wouldn't want loosers to have any say in policies and laws that effect my life.

Answer 8

Because clearly they aren't very good at figuring out right from wrong and making wise decisions.

Answer 9

I think that felons have lost their rights during the time they are in prison.

Answer 10

Citizenship status should be partially suspended. Of course, their Bill of Rights (U.S) rights should not be suspended, but other rights, including voting, should be.