Petition to allow prisoners to vote

Voting is a basic Human Right. Behavior engenders behavior. If we, as a liberal democracy do not encourage our prison population to engage in civic action and to be responsible citizens, we should have no expectation of their successful rehabilitation, or their behaving as stakeholders in society.

Prisoners want to vote. Give them back their right to vote.

For politicians to say “oh prisoners are not bothered” is a smokescreen; the UK (Labour would be the same) is continuing to defy the European Court because they’re frightened of the tabloids and the very powerful vengeance/punishment lobby in this country. A crucial part of rehabilitation is to keep incarcerated people connected to the world outside the walls – at a personal level of course and politically they should be encouraged to feel they are still part of society. When prisoners have genuine prison councils where they have a vote and so a voice there are fewer outbreaks of fighting and trouble – this has been proven. The more people feel powerless and cut off the less they feel responsible for anything or for the consequences of their own actions.”