To What Extent Should Prisoners Be Able To Vote

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Did you know that most prisoners in the US do not have the right to vote? Many countries such as Canada, Spain, Norway, and Germany give this right to their incarcerated. And only two states, Maine and Vermont, give the incarcerated this right. If it works for them then why doesn't the rest of the US do it? Why do they take this right away when there are many positives to giving them the right to vote? Prisoners should be able to vote because their votes would help fix the prison system, help them once released, and it would allow them to vote for their own interests. First, inmates should be allowed to vote because it would help the prison system. Prisoners have “intimate knowledge of the criminal justice system,” (Sawari, 7). They have first-hand …show more content…
Their votes would be very useful to help fix the prison system in America, and it would help inmates after being released from prison. Next, prisoners' votes will also help them after they are let go. Once released, they often have a lack of knowledge of the many changes in society. However, voting would help them “stay informed about changes by adding motivation for them to stay engaged with politics through voting,” (Sawari, 14). If the incarcerated citizens are included in politics, then they are more likely to stay out of trouble after being let go, and it helps them have a connection with the outside world. So, after they're released, they have more knowledge of the outside world, and they are less likely to break laws. Allowing prisoners to vote would help them stay connected in society, by letting them vote for things that interest them. Some people may bring up murders, and that these murders would only vote for things that benefit them, like making punishments less harsh. There are 1.5 million prisoners in the US and people don't want those criminals to vote for bills or laws because they believe that they will only vote for what is best for