Should criminals who are released from prison get the right to vote?

[plarq]

I do think they should automaticly regain their right to vote after serving some time. Say, some criminals should regain the right after serving five years in jail, and some criminals don't have it until they've been released for five years. One important thing is, when the time is right, their rights to vote resume automaticly, that would bring them back to society faster.

 

[Mr Moron]

If they're ready to be out in society and then they're ready to vote.

 

[The Yankee]

I do think they should automaticly regain their right to vote after serving some time. Say, some criminals should regain the right after serving five years in jail, and some criminals don't have it until they've been released for five years. One important thing is, when the time is right, their rights to vote resume automaticly, that would bring them back to society faster.

Which "some" criminals would get that back in five years (assuming good behavior, I would imagine) while others won't have it until five years after their term? Since they're all felons in this argument, it doesn't sound like a uniform policy to me.

 

[The Yankee]

How to determine this? One way is the use of a psychologist and a parole officer to ensure that the criminal's sorry is genuine. If the criminal is religious (people make mistakes, even religious people) or found a religion (Malcom X converted to Islam while in prison), then the ex-criminal can also seek a local priest or a religious leader to also help in ensuring the genuine of the criminal's apology. Though the process would have to last somewhere to six months to a year before the former criminal is given back his voting rights.

Not sure what I think of this. I would be wary that there would be some psychologists or clergy that would be more sympathetic and would essentially be a rubber stamp for the way back in. Plus, wouldn't individual psychologists or clergymen place subjective values and predetermine a rejection of restoration because of the particular felony committed?

 

[Grisu]

If criminals can't vote, wouldn't more radical governments arrest a major political motivator just to keep him out of the voting booth?

my feelings exactly. it's just not worth the risk, in a normal society criminals make up a very small part of society anyway.

 

[soul_warrior]

criminals should have the right to vote. ANYTIME.
the fact that they have "wronged" society does not mean they do not have a right to have a say in the future of thier country.
they are still people, with opinions and interests.
even they should have representatives within parliament.

the only reason i can think off for denying the right to vote would be if they were: imprisoned without being citizens of that country (south american druggies in the US, non israeli arabs in israel, etc) or if they do not recognize the country's exsistence (such as Hamas terrorists regarding israel)

 

[Till]

Indeed. Wherever there's an excuse to repeal someone's vote there's an opportunity to subvert democracy. That's far more dangerous than having a dodgy less than 1% of the population getting to vote.

Exactly my thoughts as well. There is no way the government should have the ability to take away one's right to vote.

 

[Truronian]

As I said in the other thread, the only incident when I believe someone whould have their voting rights revoked is when they have commited a crime which has destroyed someone elses right to vote (eg, murder, serious assault, vote fixing ec), and even then only for the duration of their sentence.

 

[plarq]

criminals should have the right to vote. ANYTIME.
the fact that they have "wronged" society does not mean they do not have a right to have a say in the future of thier country.
they are still people, with opinions and interests.
even they should have representatives within parliament.

the only reason i can think off for denying the right to vote would be if they were: imprisoned without being citizens of that country (south american druggies in the US, non israeli arabs in israel, etc) or if they do not recognize the country's exsistence (such as Hamas terrorists regarding israel)

They can't vote even if they're not in jail. This thread is about citizens who are criminals, not about alien felony.

 

[plarq]

Which "some" criminals would get that back in five years (assuming good behavior, I would imagine) while others won't have it until five years after their term? Since they're all felons in this argument, it doesn't sound like a uniform policy to me.

That's the problem of techniques. My point is, the process of regaining right to vote must be automatic, in order to be friendly to those ex-criminals who are returning to our society.

 

[Paalikles]

They are and they should

And why place no above yes, unless you intend to push an opinion here

 

[soul_warrior]

They can't vote even if they're not in jail. This thread is about citizens who are criminals, not about alien felony.

i realise that.
BUT...
at least in Israel (my place of residence) th eplolitical situation is such that even those that will not recognize the states right to exist (both arab AND jews. and i wont go into that right now) DEMAND a right to vote, funding for wellfare by the state and equal treatment by the state.

my belief is that if you are unwilling to accept the state you live in, you should get NO RIGHTS within it.

if you are a citizen (for example if you're born in the state) but actively act to harm it, then you dont have any rights, and should be treated as an alien.

which is NOT what is happening here

i consider those that would harm my way of life and my country as criminals.
as such they are the exemption that proves my rule.

 

[Zuffox]

Stupid people vote *subdues urge to generalize and mention such people*.

Why should they vote? they know less than the smarter ones. The criminals do have something, books and studies won't give you: experience. I'm sure people who are released from prison have some first-hand knowledge about the inner workings of the society that others don't.

I have voted "yes", as you might have guessed.

Perhaps this would be a good time to discuss, whether you should pass a test to have children...

 

[JerichoHill]

About Voting for felons in jail, this would cause for alot of redistricting problems. I should know, since this is what I do (Voting Rights)

Most prison populations are not from the district/ward the prison is in There's some inherent corruption in the ability of people not from an area to influence that area's political process

 

[plarq]

my belief is that if you are unwilling to accept the state you live in, you should get NO RIGHTS within it.

if you are a citizen (for example if you're born in the state) but actively act to harm it, then you dont have any rights, and should be treated as an alien.

which is NOT what is happening here

"Treat them like an alien"? Drive them out so they could start an oversea rebellion? Not a good idea. And where to drive them to?

 

[classical_hero]

Considering we are talking about serious offenders here, I voted no because once you have commited a crime of such nature, you really have forfieted some of your rights since you have been shown that you not responsible enought to handle certian rights.

But now this is an interesting question, is voting a right that someone has or a responsiblity that a person has?

 

[El_Machinae]

is voting a right that someone has or a responsiblity that a person has?

Good question.

There's some inherent corruption in the ability of people not from an area to influence that area's political process

Worst case, that politician would have a tough time funnelling pork into the region known to house felons. Anyway, it's not like they're voting from their usual location. If I move, I lose the right to influence my old district.

Of couse, then Gerrymandering takes on a whole new view.

 

[soul_warrior]

"Treat them like an alien"? Drive them out so they could start an oversea rebellion? Not a good idea. And where to drive them to?

well,
in Israel, those actively looking to get rid of it (i.e.- the palestinians) have a de-facto state to go to.
I DO NOT want them to be forcibly expelled!
they should CHOOSE where they want to set up thier lives.
both states have valid pros and cons.
if they want to STAY in Israel, they should atleast accept that country's right to exist.
if they dont - its off with them.

but back to the topic,

as long as they THINK about it, i dont really care, and they can be criminals and still vote.
if they actively, via terrorism, seek to harm us, they do not deserve to recieve any help or rights form the state.