By: Gerard McGrath - HMP Haverigg
Gerard McGrath says the enfranchisement of prisoners could go a long way towards removing the sense of exclusion that many feel
A contribution in the January issue of Inside Time informing readers that Minister of Justice Jack Straw had initiated a 'consultation process' regarding the matter of prisoners and their legal right to vote was the catalyst which prompted the following that Jack et al might care to consider.
It seems reasonable for those opposed to allowing prisoners to vote to hold the opinion that, having offended against society, the offender is not only ostracised but disenfranchised. However, there is an alternative opinion which appears to be far more reasonable and desirable; and readers are invited to consider whether or not they agree the alternative better serves the public interest in terms of the rehabilitation of offenders.
With the enfranchisement of prisoners, it seems to me that the Prison and Probation Services are gifted the opportunity of drastically reducing the rate of re-offending and prison overcrowding of. To this end, the rolling-out of purpose designed citizenship courses which dovetail with existing offending behaviour courses holds great potential. The content of a citizenship course could incorporate a number of elements, including unbiased political education in terms of imparting an understanding of the philosophies and manifestos of political parties and explaining the methods of voting in this country. Of greatest importance, such courses must impart an understanding of the symbiotic relationships of the rights, duties and responsibilities of all citizens in a democratic society. Accepting personal responsibility and duty is a core offending behaviour issue for many prisoners.
Writing as a prisoner who now has the right to vote pending the government enacting overdue legislation, I feel less alienated. Though I share the view that the only people ever to enter Parliament with honourable intent were Guy Fawkes and his crew, how I decide to cast my vote is of consequence to those seeking office and thus elevates my self-esteem. I value the autonomy of my right to vote and I appreciate the privilege. Exercising a right to vote is a pro-social act. Voting is an act of belonging. The enfranchisement of prisoners has the potential to go a long way towards eradicating the sense of exclusion that many feel and in breaking the pernicious cycle of re-offending.
Not surprisingly, many prisoners experience a sense of alienation from society the moment prison gates close behind them. This sense of alienation is reinforced and compounded by the day-to-day experiences of a prisoner and the longer the sentence, the greater the sense becomes. Release does not see the sense of feeling different dissipate. A con merely becomes an ‘ex-con’ with a sense of alienation. Self-evidently, there is risk to the well-being of society where people with such negative feelings are concerned. Alienated people are often antisocial, angry, bitter and cynical. The sense of ‘not belonging’ all too often leads to re-offending and further imprisonment. Sadly, the cycle is self-perpetuating.
Prisoners’ issues have never been regarded as a vote winner by any political party. At best there is middle-ground ambivalence amongst the general public where anything to do with prisoners is concerned. The extreme opposed opinions of the rabid right-wing 'whip ‘em and hang 'em’ brigade and of the ultra-liberal lefties are well known. Former Home Secretary Michael Howard, he of …’something of the night’ about him, was right in one regard when he famously said that ‘prison works’. Self-evidently, when offenders are in prison they are not offending, ergo prison works. However, given that all but a few prisoners will be released at some point in time, what most concerns the public is how effective has prison been in facilitating the rehabilitation of prisoners to reintegrate back into society? Given the current rate of re-offending, it can be safely argued that prison does not work in that regard.
Whatever the conclusions of Jack Straw’s consultation exercise are, the fact will remain that a prisoner's right to vote is a fait accompli – therefore my grateful thanks to the European Court. Straw and his colleagues need to enact the legislation expeditiously otherwise, whether or not his party is returned to power, the election result will be rendered illegal and invalid. My opinion is shared by Prisons & Probation Ombudsman Stephen Shaw, who is happy to be quoted in the following terms: ‘I must emphasise that my office has no formal position on prisoners' voting rights and is awaiting the Government's decision following its consultation exercise after the European Court judgment. However, my personal view is that taking part in elections is an important way of encouraging prisoners to think of themselves as citizens attached to society, not criminals at war with society.
Disaffection and alienation can be causes of crime and the goal should be to repair and restore prisoners’ links to the community against which they have offended. The right to vote can be a small but important part of that objective, as has been acknowledged in many other countries around the world’.
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