Question Details	Asked By	Asked On
Prison Stuff	excon	01/25/05
Hello experts: In the main, do we imprison people because we're afraid of them, or do we lock them up because we're mad at them? Are both sentiments proper? What is the proper role of prisons, in your opinion? Should felons be allowed vote? Why or why not? What does voting have to do felonious activity? If driving is a privilege instead of a right, why don't they take that away instead? Wouldn't bother me to see felons take busses, but not being allowed to vote just seems kinda un-American. On the other hand, why should either be taken away? excon
Answered By		Answered On
purplewings		01/25/05
Hi Excon, I guess we lock them up because we are mad and angry too. Some of the anger is that we don't know what else to do with them and just wish they wouldn't do a crime that forces us to take action. I thought prisons were to keep felons out of society and teach them a better way to live, but that's not exactly true. I was told by a prison rep. that once the person has gone to prison,it's only about punishment,and the state doesn't care about rehabilitation anymore. That's a real shame and an ignorant way to approach this large population we share society with. In my opinion,while a person is incarcerated they should not be given the right to vote. I can imagine those with life sentences trying to elect the worst possible public representatives, out of spite. Once the crime has been paid for, everyone should be returned their voting rights. Driving rights too. Why not??? I live in Michigan and am happy to say we have fought the death penalty successfully through many years of attempts by our prosecutors. We also have no rules against a freed felon driving. I believe we are advanced compared to many other states. Michigan is actually in the minority of states, in that it places no restrictions on an ex-felon's right to vote. Here are a few other states who have made changes in this direction. Delaware: In June 2000, the General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to some ex-felons five years after the completion of their sentence. Connecticut, New York: Allow those on probation to vote, denies vote to the currently incarcerated and parolees. In 2001, Connecticut restored the vote to 36,000 ex-offenders on probation. Maine, Vermont: Allows all felons, including inmates, to vote. Felons can vote by absentee ballot. Vermont felons serving time in prisons outside the state can still vote via absentee ballot Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire: Denies the vote to inmates but allows freed felons and those on probation or parole to vote. Pennsylvania recently restored the vote to ex-felons. Until the 2000 presidential election, Massachusetts was one of three states that allowed inmates to vote. New Jersey, Rhode Island: Denies the vote to felons in prison, on probation or on parole. Canada and Puerto Rico allow all convicted felons to vote Virgin Islands bars a first time felon from voting for one year, and a second time felon from voting for 10 years. Yes, a person should be able to put the past behind them and make a better life. Everyone needs to help this work. Have a great day! PW

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