Voting rights of convicted prisoners detained within the UK
Publication Date: 21 March 2007 (General)
Following a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, the UK Government is reviewing its policy of not allowing convicted prisoners to vote.
NIACRO’S RESPONSE TO VOTING RIGHTS OF CONVICTED PRISONERS DETAINED WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 2007
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1NIACRO, the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, is a voluntary organization, working for 35 years to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities. NIACRO provides services under the headings of: promoting safer communities; working with children and young people who offend; providing services to families and children of offenders; supporting offenders and ex-prisoners in the community; working with prisoners.
1.2NIACRO’s vision is to be acknowledged as making a unique contribution to the development of a society in which the rights and needs of everyone, including offenders, are equally respected.
1.3The mission – NIACRO’s Mission statement is as follows: NIACRO – working to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities.
1.4NIACRO welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation given the organisation’s involvement with respect to promoting citizenship with offenders, ex-offenders, prisoners and ex-prisoners.
2.RESPONSE
2.1NIACRO is engaged in the promotion of reintegration and resettlement of individuals within the prison system.
2.2NIACRO takes the view that when an individual is subject to a custodial sentence the sentence is deprivation of liberty. A custodial sentence can also result in many negative, unintended consequences affecting finances, accommodation, training and employment opportunities as well as disrupting relationships (personal, familial as well as those in the broader community) and can have a negative effect on physical and mental health.
2.3The maintenance and development of citizenship is, in NIACRO’s view, integral to the effective reintegration and resettlement of those who have been through the prison system.
2.4In NIACRO’s view it is inappropriate that total or partial disenfranchisement be proposed with respect to those in prison.
2.5Rather NIACRO believes that the argument should be reframed to encourage active citizenship. The maintenance of the right to vote whilst in prison would, if enacted, send a strong message from government that it views resettlement and reintegration seriously and is part and parcel of a strategy that promotes this. It would further reinforce the view that voting is an activity that is at the core of active participation in society and as a consequence this should be actively nurtured and promoted.