Should Prisoners Be Given The Right To Vote Essay

Words: 1588
Pages: 7
Open Document
Should prisoners be given the right to vote?
The UK has been accused of breaching the European Convention of Human Rights Article 3 of protocol 1 by having a blanket ban on prisoners voting. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) promotes the idea that convicted prisoners should be allowed to vote and have a right to vote, despite the Conservative party being opposed to this view. As a result the ECHR have being pressuring the Tory’s to bow to their rules for many years. This essay will examine the history behind the debate of prisoners voting and, give reasons in favour of the ban and opposing to the ban, whilst strongly promoting the view that prisoners should not have the right to vote.
In 1870, under the Forfeiture Act, prisoners …show more content…
It is absurd to think that there may be some people that are happy with paedophiles, rapists and murderers having a say in how society should be governed. In relation to the argument that convicted criminals should be able to vote because it aids rehabilitation back into society. The reality is there are processes in place to help prisoners rehabilitate and they are treated with dignity. Finally, in terms of the European Court and its decision to attempt to lengthen its ‘power’ past beyond their rights; The British have every right to choose which one of the ECHR rules they wish to enforce. Davis proclaimed that the UK sanctioned the ECHR guidelines which are, “to protect people from ill-treatment and to protect their life, liberty, free speech, and right to a fair trial”. These guidelines are important issues which are taken seriously in the UK and, in comparison, the ‘issue’ on prisoners voting is really quite trivial. The UK signed up for the more serious legislations of the ECHR but categorically did not join the ECHR in order to issue felons with the right to vote (Davis, 2011).

References
BBC News., 2010. Labour's 'votes for paedophiles. BBC News [online] (Last updated 17.27 PM on 19 April 2010) Available at: <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8630001.stml> [Accessed on 02 February 2014].

BBC News., 2011. Woman jailed for three months for £10 jeans theft. BBC News
Show More

Related Documents: Should Prisoners Be Given The Right To Vote Essay

Prisoner Rights In Canada

need respect whether they are prisoners or aristocratic; they all need rights and regulations. Some people may think that prisoners should not get the same rights as normal citizens because it should be part of their sanctions. According to the United Nations, "human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever their nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language or any other status.". Allowing prisoners similar rights to other citizens can help…

Words 572 - Pages 3

How can we build more jobs? Essay

Prisoner and Convicted Felon Voting Rights In the United States of America, the right to vote is given to all American citizens. When a citizen of the United States turns eighteen, he or she gains the right to vote in state and federal matters. These matters range from voting for the mayor of ones city or town to voting for the next President of the United States. Although the right to vote is a privilege granted to all citizens, what happens if one of these citizens is convicted of a state…

Words 811 - Pages 4

Should Felons Be Allowed To Vote Essay

population—are currently ineligible to vote because of a prior conviction. Two-thirds of them have completed their prison terms, including two million people in 35 states who are prevented from voting while on probation or parole, and two million more in 12 states who continue to be disenfranchised once they have served out their sentence in full.¨ There has been a dispute on whether ex-felons should be allowed the right to vote since around ancient Greece and Rome. There should not even be a dispute because…

Words 816 - Pages 4

Essay On Disenfranchisement

most states chose to revoke felons right to vote while in prison and once released. There are eleven states that require felons to wait a set time before being able to vote in elections, three states that never allow felons to gain their voting rights back and the rest of the states have a large variety of policies regarding felon disenfranchisement. A felony is category of crimes that are the most serious of crimes one can commit and “felon” is the title given to anybody who has chosen to commit…

Words 964 - Pages 4

American Prison System Research Paper

with little to no progress for solutions. Problems arise such as rights of inmates whether if they are allowed to vote after being incarcerated and serving their time in prison. Then, should prisoners get the opportunity to get an education? Finally, what's the purpose of prisons should be striving for in America. Should prisoners be able to have the right to vote after serving their time in prison? Everyone has the right to vote, but this is not true for a felon or mostly everyone after serving…

Words 928 - Pages 4

Intent of 2nd Amendment Essay

The 5.3 Million Americans That Can’t Vote As of 2004 over 5.3 Million Americans have been denied the right to vote. Not because of age, residency or sanity, but because of disenfranchisement. Disenfranchisement is the taking away of voting rights. By disenfranchising Americans you are taking away their Constitutional Rights, therefore the question that a lot of Americans are asking is, should felons in America be given the right to vote? The overwhelming amount of research done has pointed…

Words 795 - Pages 4

Syrian Government Restrict Civil Rights Essay

In today’s world, governments have the power to do many things. For example, in Syria people have almost no civil rights or freedoms, and the government has all the powers to do anything. But when should the government be able to restrict rights from citizens? To begin, there are situations all around the globe where governments are abusing their powers. To continue, a main utopian dream is to have a society that is totally free. This means that individuals are allowed to do whatever they please…

Words 943 - Pages 4

Explain Why The Constitution Does Not Give Us Our Rights

give us our rights. Our rights are inherent, and inalienable. The Bill of Rights defines the government as “We the People”, and restricts the body of elected representatives all the way up to the president, to what is specifically enumerated in those documents. In other words, if it is not in the Constitution, they can not do it. Our individual rights are being eroded by subversion. Political correctness is having a chilling effect; causing people to self censor, abrading the right to freedom of…

Words 550 - Pages 3

Canada: Democracy and Increase Political Participation Essay

months a year, this allowed the senate to maintain their jobs.This much money given to a senate that nearly needs to do work is controversial, its just like getting payed to watch T.V. everyday to earn %106,400. Another reason is why does the Senate have so much power? Senator Taylor realized how powerful the senate truly is, “Too powerful” he says “It has an absolute veto.” It was also proven by when Senator Carney’s vote against, killed prime minster Brian Mulroney’s abortion bill. The strength of…

Words 940 - Pages 4

Final assignment Essay

perhaps the counterargument? Point 3: Counterargument and rebuttal to the counterargument Conclusion: Points not necessarily in order Divison of labor: Kevin: Introduction Paragraph; To Be Sure; Conclusion Solanda: Economic rights Yichao: Human Rights Paragraph Asher: Voting rights Mass incarceration causes inequality in the labor market by removing potential workers, eroding the already shaky job skills of the incarcerated, and stigmatizing the formerly incarcerated (Western et al. 2002).…

Words 5191 - Pages 21