Prisoners, should they vote?
Or should incarceration mean no everyday civil rights such as voting?, bit of a ding dong in the Scottish Parliament about just now.
Being brave is coming home at 2am half drunk, smelling of perfume, climbing into bed, slapping the wife on the arse and saying,"right fatty, you're next!!"
Once you start taking away basic human rights from people, you put yourself on the same level as criminals.
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times to put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last.
- boudicca
- Sister Midnight
- Posts: 7427
- Joined: 15 Sep 2004, 16:15
- Location: embrace the margin
- Contact:
I'm not of the opinion that they should (though I'm a bit ambivalent about it to be honest)...
... What I do find ridiculous is the idea of them getting compensation for it.
... What I do find ridiculous is the idea of them getting compensation for it.
There's a man with a mullet going mad with a mallet in Millets
- Maisey
- Slight Overbomber
- Posts: 1870
- Joined: 28 Jun 2006, 20:19
- Location: Moving like a Parallelogram
I'm going to go with yes. Although its a bit off the cuff as I have never actually considered it.
But yes they should be allowed to vote, although I struggle to justify my opinion.
I suppose its a matter while they are citizens of a country, even if they are enjoying the hospitality of her majesty, they get the same basic rights as any other citizen.
But yes they should be allowed to vote, although I struggle to justify my opinion.
I suppose its a matter while they are citizens of a country, even if they are enjoying the hospitality of her majesty, they get the same basic rights as any other citizen.
Nationalise the f**king lot.
Well if it starts at prisoners, where does it end? Who will be next in the class of citizens who are not allowed to vote? I think that's justification enough.
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times to put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last.
- canon docre
- Overbomber
- Posts: 2529
- Joined: 05 Mar 2005, 21:10
- Location: Mother Prussia
I would be interested in any argument against them being allowed to vote. I don't really get it. I mean you can get to prison for some unpaid parking tickets, does that make you an outlaw without civil rights? I don't think so.
Put their heads on f*cking pikes in front of the venue for all I care.
- Brideoffrankenstein
- Overbomber
- Posts: 2883
- Joined: 15 Jan 2004, 01:51
I was of the opinion that they shouldn't have that right, but reading everyone's arguments for prisoners to be able to vote, I changed my mind.
- Badlander
- Overbomber
- Posts: 3566
- Joined: 16 Feb 2006, 20:17
- Location: At the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
Is the right to vote really a fundamental human right ? I'm not so sure. From a Western liberal point of view, democracy is indeed a central feature of human rights. But there are other conceptions, some of them just as valid.mh wrote:Once you start taking away basic human rights from people, you put yourself on the same level as criminals.
But it is more a philosophic question than a political question : most of the time, when you take away democracy, human rights abuses follow very quickly.
I have the feeling that French prisons wouldn't be in such horrible condition if inmates had the right to vote. Right now, no high profile politician dares tackle the issue of inhuman detention conditions, just because they don't want to be accused of being soft on crime. That is disgraceful.
![Evil or Very Mad :evil:](./images/smilies/icon_evil.gif)
I'd end this moment to be with you
Through morphic oceans I'd lay here with you
Through morphic oceans I'd lay here with you
- Planet Dave
- Underneath the Rock
- Posts: 6612
- Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
- Location: Where the streets fold round
Yes.
There is increasing evidence to suggest that Chris may have been being sarcastic.
Breaches their basic human rights?? Oh for the love of Mike, what utter crap. Forcible incarceration breaches their human rights as well.
You'll forgive me if I have little sympathy, the average convict has a far easier time of it , and better living conditions than the average person serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, or has the misfortune to be elderly and in an NHS hospital or nursing home.
These people forfeited their right to participate in society by committing a crime serious enough they were judged too dangerous to remain at large. And I rather doubt, quite frankly, that their contribution will be anything worthwhile.
You'll forgive me if I have little sympathy, the average convict has a far easier time of it , and better living conditions than the average person serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, or has the misfortune to be elderly and in an NHS hospital or nursing home.
These people forfeited their right to participate in society by committing a crime serious enough they were judged too dangerous to remain at large. And I rather doubt, quite frankly, that their contribution will be anything worthwhile.
- itnAklipse
- Slight Overbomber
- Posts: 1541
- Joined: 09 Jun 2003, 08:12
- Location: set adrift
- Contact:
They have not given up their right to participate in the society, but rather given expression to a conflict between themselves and the society of which they are a part of.
It's funny how lightly people who hail for diversity want to drive out people who don't agree with them and their standards, but this can of course be seen in any place where more than 2-3 people gather and someone has differing views. In reality the mass of people can't stand diversity...they like arabs as long as they don't live as arabs do...that is, they can only stand different colour of skin as long as their theory of colour being only skin deep is proven wrong and real differences emerge.
Criminals are hardly types that you see on television crime-series, anyway. The ones in prisons are simply for the most part total failures, complete unfortunates.
One often hears such nonsense as "they don't abide by the common rules that are the same for everyone", but no one has ever asked them whether or not they subscribe to the rules put forth by others to begin with. Life is NOT a game, nor should society be.
At any rate, in prison they are, and as such still a part of the society. Why the hell should they not vote?
Real criminals are not the unfortunates who simply can not fit in. Real criminals are something else. Like, say, Tony Blair, Ehud Olmert? George Bush? The Rothschilds? By their totally hateful and anti-social, dare i say _immoral_?, actions they have truly given up their right to take part in the life of civilized people and should thus be incarcerated without the light of day. Not these misfits that are in prisons now whose alleged immorality is of utterly lesser level.
i suppose also white collar criminals could be given much harder time, but then, there are different types of them and not all of them are of the truly malignant sort.
You know what i think is the real problem with the usual criminals who are in prison? They simply can not handle the repressive and oppressive society that is built on fakeness and hypocrisy and lies, where everything is governed by commercial interests and not by whether or not something is good or not (think about writer's who have to first of all submit a manuscript in a certain format so that the commercially-minded publisher agrees to even read it, is this like to promote manuscripts from good authors who concentrate on thinking and writing and not on manuscript format, or s**t authors who have no problem with concentrating on exactly the wrong things? i, of course, speak only for myself when i say that submitting a manuscript in a set format is just about an insurmountable obstacle for me ever to submit a manuscript because, well, i do have better things to do...anyway, that's not enough, because whether or not the manuscript will be considered for publication has nothing to do with it's own merits but more with how well it suits with the political agenda of the publisher in general...already these two things just about dictate that no worthwhile books will be published) and their criminality is a direct expression against it. They are like a cancer that develops in a body, not because it is the disease, but because the body is in a sickly condition and develops the disease by itself.
It's funny how lightly people who hail for diversity want to drive out people who don't agree with them and their standards, but this can of course be seen in any place where more than 2-3 people gather and someone has differing views. In reality the mass of people can't stand diversity...they like arabs as long as they don't live as arabs do...that is, they can only stand different colour of skin as long as their theory of colour being only skin deep is proven wrong and real differences emerge.
Criminals are hardly types that you see on television crime-series, anyway. The ones in prisons are simply for the most part total failures, complete unfortunates.
One often hears such nonsense as "they don't abide by the common rules that are the same for everyone", but no one has ever asked them whether or not they subscribe to the rules put forth by others to begin with. Life is NOT a game, nor should society be.
At any rate, in prison they are, and as such still a part of the society. Why the hell should they not vote?
Real criminals are not the unfortunates who simply can not fit in. Real criminals are something else. Like, say, Tony Blair, Ehud Olmert? George Bush? The Rothschilds? By their totally hateful and anti-social, dare i say _immoral_?, actions they have truly given up their right to take part in the life of civilized people and should thus be incarcerated without the light of day. Not these misfits that are in prisons now whose alleged immorality is of utterly lesser level.
i suppose also white collar criminals could be given much harder time, but then, there are different types of them and not all of them are of the truly malignant sort.
You know what i think is the real problem with the usual criminals who are in prison? They simply can not handle the repressive and oppressive society that is built on fakeness and hypocrisy and lies, where everything is governed by commercial interests and not by whether or not something is good or not (think about writer's who have to first of all submit a manuscript in a certain format so that the commercially-minded publisher agrees to even read it, is this like to promote manuscripts from good authors who concentrate on thinking and writing and not on manuscript format, or s**t authors who have no problem with concentrating on exactly the wrong things? i, of course, speak only for myself when i say that submitting a manuscript in a set format is just about an insurmountable obstacle for me ever to submit a manuscript because, well, i do have better things to do...anyway, that's not enough, because whether or not the manuscript will be considered for publication has nothing to do with it's own merits but more with how well it suits with the political agenda of the publisher in general...already these two things just about dictate that no worthwhile books will be published) and their criminality is a direct expression against it. They are like a cancer that develops in a body, not because it is the disease, but because the body is in a sickly condition and develops the disease by itself.
we've got beer and we've got fuel
- King of Byblos
- Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 166
- Joined: 21 Jun 2006, 13:53
- Location: the Black Country, UK
- Contact:
yowsers no no no no no no no no and i say again no!DeWinter wrote:Breaches their basic human rights?? Oh for the love of Mike, what utter crap. Forcible incarceration breaches their human rights as well.
You'll forgive me if I have little sympathy, the average convict has a far easier time of it , and better living conditions than the average person serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, or has the misfortune to be elderly and in an NHS hospital or nursing home.
These people forfeited their right to participate in society by committing a crime serious enough they were judged too dangerous to remain at large. And I rather doubt, quite frankly, that their contribution will be anything worthwhile.
can i suggest you read
![Image](http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/1903809983.02._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 301101.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 170068.stm
(sorry you have caught me on home turf)
the shame about prison is that the overcrowding means that the rehabilitation work done cannot be as effective as when the prisons are at at their optimal capacity...the same as a hospital working best when every bed does not have a person in.
but yes. not all jails are s**t-holes
the conitions of jail range from 'inhuman' to 'relative luxury' but the cushy-open-jail-cum-5*hotel of the Daily Mail's imagination is not real
To be in a soft-cell ['scuse the pun] you have to earn this by being co-operative, but it is still incarceration.
Much of the luxury is 'imported' and tolerated by prison staff/the system.
Inmates with big tele's and playstations (still not allowed in most places) have them as person possessions. The Govenor has to allow them in, they are security checked and become 'currency' or leverage for favours from other inmates... even the nicest YOI's aren't handing them out at christmas courtesy of the tax payer
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)
"Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas – only I don't exactly know what they are!"
- MadameButterfly
- HL's mystical safekeeper
- Posts: 6924
- Joined: 12 Jul 2005, 09:29
- Location: in my own galaxy
Yes they should vote. And I would just like to take the time to mention that once upon a time there was a prisioner that actually became the president of the country and he was one of the best presidents of these times. FACT.
it's all about circles and spirals
that ongoing eternity
that ongoing eternity
- King of Byblos
- Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 166
- Joined: 21 Jun 2006, 13:53
- Location: the Black Country, UK
- Contact:
and while i am at it
The missed opportunities due to prson conditions involve 'citizenship' and an inmate who engages with the system can come out with a better, reasoned idea of who to vote and why that you or i (probably) have.
the current hope is that the ongoing overcrowding, provoked by the governments meddling in the justice system, forces a rethink on REHABILITATION not just incarceration before the 'ex-offender now remade cizitzen' becomes a 'perma-crim'![Crying or Very sad :cry:](./images/smilies/icon_cry.gif)
The missed opportunities due to prson conditions involve 'citizenship' and an inmate who engages with the system can come out with a better, reasoned idea of who to vote and why that you or i (probably) have.
the current hope is that the ongoing overcrowding, provoked by the governments meddling in the justice system, forces a rethink on REHABILITATION not just incarceration before the 'ex-offender now remade cizitzen' becomes a 'perma-crim'
![Crying or Very sad :cry:](./images/smilies/icon_cry.gif)
"Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas – only I don't exactly know what they are!"
The right to vote may well be part of our western culture, but if we want to uphold any of (what's left of) our freedom we need to uphold all of it.
Like I said before, where will it stop? Take the right to vote away from prisoners, and who will be next to lose it? And which right will prisoners be next to lose, for that matter?
Because otherwise we may as well admit that we're not living in democracies, and be done with it.
This isn't about prison conditions, and it's not about differences between cultures. It's about one culture (or at least a part of one culture) seriously considering taking away some it's citizen's right to determine their government.
Like I said before, where will it stop? Take the right to vote away from prisoners, and who will be next to lose it? And which right will prisoners be next to lose, for that matter?
Because otherwise we may as well admit that we're not living in democracies, and be done with it.
This isn't about prison conditions, and it's not about differences between cultures. It's about one culture (or at least a part of one culture) seriously considering taking away some it's citizen's right to determine their government.
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times to put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last.
- MadameButterfly
- HL's mystical safekeeper
- Posts: 6924
- Joined: 12 Jul 2005, 09:29
- Location: in my own galaxy
mh wrote: This isn't about prison conditions, and it's not about differences between cultures. It's about one culture (or at least a part of one culture) seriously considering taking away some it's citizen's right to determine their government.
![We are not worthy! :notworthy:](./images/smilies/icon_notworthy.gif)
![We are not worthy! :notworthy:](./images/smilies/icon_notworthy.gif)
![We are not worthy! :notworthy:](./images/smilies/icon_notworthy.gif)
Yes indeed and everyone should be allowed to vote.
One man - one vote.
it's all about circles and spirals
that ongoing eternity
that ongoing eternity
Well, whatever Erwin James did to get incarcerated for 25 years, it's unlikely to make me trust his word or opinion on much. I doubt it was refusing to pay Council Tax or the telly license.King of Byblos wrote:
yowsers no no no no no no no no and i say again no!
can i suggest you read
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 301101.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 170068.stm
(sorry you have caught me on home turf)
the shame about prison is that the overcrowding means that the rehabilitation work done cannot be as effective as when the prisons are at at their optimal capacity...the same as a hospital working best when every bed does not have a person in.
but yes. not all jails are s**t-holes
the conitions of jail range from 'inhuman' to 'relative luxury' but the cushy-open-jail-cum-5*hotel of the Daily Mail's imagination is not real
To be in a soft-cell ['scuse the pun] you have to earn this by being co-operative, but it is still incarceration.
Much of the luxury is 'imported' and tolerated by prison staff/the system.
Inmates with big tele's and playstations (still not allowed in most places) have them as person possessions. The Govenor has to allow them in, they are security checked and become 'currency' or leverage for favours from other inmates... even the nicest YOI's aren't handing them out at christmas courtesy of the tax payer
As for prison conditions, to use an Americanism, they can cry me a river. Sort out the living conditions and appalling treatment of the Army(who actually risk their lives for their country), the elderly, and the poor. Then you can come to me and ask me to give a damn about criminals.
![Neutral :|](./images/smilies/icon_neutral.gif)
Speaking of this, I am enjoying reading from abroad the current goings on in the criminal justice system. Has Comrade Reid been hitting the bottle again, do you think?
MadameButterfly:
I take it you mean Mandela? I would say he was a good man, but a bloody awful President. Also not above propping up the occasional despotic regime when in South Africa's interests, either.
- markfiend
- goriller of form 3b
- Posts: 21181
- Joined: 11 Nov 2003, 10:55
- Location: st custards
- Contact:
The Monarch and Peers of the Realm can't vote in the UK. What about them? ![It wasn't me... :innocent:](./images/smilies/icon_whistlehalo.gif)
![It wasn't me... :innocent:](./images/smilies/icon_whistlehalo.gif)
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
—Bertrand Russell
—Bertrand Russell
- MadameButterfly
- HL's mystical safekeeper
- Posts: 6924
- Joined: 12 Jul 2005, 09:29
- Location: in my own galaxy
Yes I do mean Mandela and your opinion about him being a bloody awful President means nothing to me unless you have ever put foot on S.A. soil.DeWinter wrote: MadameButterfly:
I take it you mean Mandela? I would say he was a good man, but a bloody awful President. Also not above propping up the occasional despotic regime when in South Africa's interests, either.
it's all about circles and spirals
that ongoing eternity
that ongoing eternity
Depends on how you define democracy. The "demos" have next to no power to influence a Governments actions once it's elected. Seems here in Finland, for example, that the "people" may as well not exist, and all decisions are taken via a consensus amongst the political parties.mh wrote:The right to vote may well be part of our western culture, but if we want to uphold any of (what's left of) our freedom we need to uphold all of it.
Like I said before, where will it stop? Take the right to vote away from prisoners, and who will be next to lose it? And which right will prisoners be next to lose, for that matter?
Because otherwise we may as well admit that we're not living in democracies, and be done with it.
This isn't about prison conditions, and it's not about differences between cultures. It's about one culture (or at least a part of one culture) seriously considering taking away some it's citizen's right to determine their government.
The UK lives in more of an elective dictatorship with constitutional safeguards against excesses.
And if, in this instance, you believe in the rule of the people, would you accept that the majority of the public do not agree with prisoners having the right to vote, therefore in a democracy, they would in fact be denied it?
- Ozpat
- From the Lowlands
- Posts: 6758
- Joined: 16 Aug 2005, 13:14
- Location: In the place through which we wander.
MadameButterfly wrote:Yes they should vote. And I would just like to take the time to mention that once upon a time there was a prisioner that actually became the president of the country and he was one of the best presidents of these times. FACT.
![We are not worthy! :notworthy:](./images/smilies/icon_notworthy.gif)
![We are not worthy! :notworthy:](./images/smilies/icon_notworthy.gif)
No doubt about it. Prisoners should be able to vote. I cannot think of even one good reason why they should not. Basic human right in a democracy.
"as we walk on the floodland"
- King of Byblos
- Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 166
- Joined: 21 Jun 2006, 13:53
- Location: the Black Country, UK
- Contact:
how about an ecenomic argument:DeWinter wrote: Well, whatever Erwin James did to get incarcerated for 25 years, it's unlikely to make me trust his word or opinion on much. I doubt it was refusing to pay Council Tax or the telly license.
As for prison conditions, to use an Americanism, they can cry me a river. Sort out the living conditions and appalling treatment of the Army(who actually risk their lives for their country), the elderly, and the poor. Then you can come to me and ask me to give a damn about criminals.![]()
Speaking of this, I am enjoying reading from abroad the current goings on in the criminal justice system. Has Comrade Reid been hitting the bottle again, do you think?
teating offenders as human beings in the hope that it will reduce the rate of re-offending frees up funds to spend on Army living conditions, the NHS etc building more prisons don't!.
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
......................
on a larger scale this is all a bit of inter-departmental sabre rattling pre a change in government. all the goverment agencies are tying to get column inches to ensure they have a upward budget review when the new person moves into 10 downing street
"Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas – only I don't exactly know what they are!"