Should prisoners have the right to vote?

Fairness & Justice: The rights of those arrested and in prison

Take 3 minutes with a partner and complete the sentence below:

Historically, prisoners in the UK haven’t been able to vote in elections. I think this is right/wrong because….

Possible Questions

Explain 3 arguments in favour of giving prisoners the right to vote (6)

Present a case for and against giving prisoners the right to vote (12)

1) Split your page into two columns (see below)2) Watch the Question Time video clip and fill in some of the arguments made by the participants

In Favour Against

The Latest in the UK• In 2005 a convicted killer won an appeal at the European Court of

Human Rights (ECHR). He wanted the right to vote and the ECHR decided banning all prisoners contravened the right to free and fair elections. They ordered the UK government to end the ban

• By 2010 we still hadn’t changed the law so the ECHR set a deadline of August 2011.

• The Coalition Government suggested a compromise – they would let people serving less than 4 years in prison vote. Lots of MPs didn’t like this so a motion was passed supporting the existing ban and the government’s idea was dropped.

• The UK government can keep ignoring the ban but it will mean the ECHR can award compensation when appeals are made. There are currently 2500 cases in front of the ECHR and the compensation bill could be more than £70 million. If we refuse to pay we could be suspended from the Council of Europe – the main decision making body!

What do you think?YouGov poll in February 2011

Should all prisoners be allowed to vote?

Should some prisoners be allowed to vote?

Should we keep the blanket ban on all prisoners?

Use the arguments on your A4 sheet to answer the 12 mark exam question below:

Present a case for and against giving prisoners the right to vote (12marks)

Try to include 3 points for each side and fully explain them and any consequences.

If you commit a serious enough crime to go to

prison you should lose your privileges

Prisoners have never had the right to vote

and Parliament says it should stay that way.

Parliament should have the final say as it

is sovereign.

Does anyone care about this issue?

Would prisoners even bother to vote?

Shouldn’t we focus on fixing the economy!

Nobody in the UK wants this – we would just be giving in

to the European Court of Human Rights. Our laws

should reflect our opinion and 67% think the ban should

stay as it is

There are too many practical difficulties. Eg.

The average stay in Brixton Prison is 35days. How do we get everyone

registered in time.

Prisoners should not be allowed to vote

Allowing convicted killers to help choose our

government makes a mockery of our

democracy

For a 12mark question you should show you understand both sides of the argument.

“Some people believe prisoners should be given the vote because…It could, however, be argued that…”

Voting is an important civic responsibility – if we want to rehabilitate and reintegrate

people into society they have to understand responsibilities

Voting isn’t a privilege, it’s a right!

We shouldn’t pick and choose who has rights and

who doesn’t.

By giving prisoners the vote we are

encouraging them to take ownership of

their community – they could vote in local elections so that Councillors

have to talk about resettlement and

job opportunities for offenders

Prisoners shouldbe allowed to vote

It is practical! Remand prisoners have always been able to vote and they move around a

lot. Germany manages it for most prisoners

too!

Many other countries give prisoners the vote, such as

Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden and Ireland. Why

can’t we?

Losing your freedom is

punishment enough!

UK signed the International Covenant

on Civil & Political Rights in 1976. 35years later we still don’t give everyone these rights!