Source:
UK prisoners' right to vote
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11674014
My topic:
Prisoners should be allowed to vote.
What I hope to learn from this source:
Since what I try to research is different opinions of other people to reinforce my position, I focus on public opinions. This source is an interview which is about reality of UK prisoners' right to vote. I hope to learn practicality of this policy from this interview.
Note:
1, The government is set to allow prisoners the vote but it wants the right limited to those sentenced to a year or less, rather than the four years previously considered.
2, Having initially said prisoners serving up to four years would get the vote, ministers now plan to give the vote to only those prisoners sentenced to serve a year or less. However, they are aware this policy will be tested in the courts and they might lose again.
3, In 13 European countries, electoral disqualification depends on the crime committed or the length of the sentence. Italy, Malta and Poland, for example, ban those deemed to have committed serious crimes. In Greece, anyone sentenced to life receives a permanent voting ban.
4. "It has been the view of successive governments, including this government, that persons who have committed crimes serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence should forfeit the right to have a say in how the country is governed while they are detained."
5."If convicted rapists and murderers are given the vote it will bring the law into disrepute and many people will see it as making a mockery of justice,"
Final thoughts:
Actually, I support con side of this opinion. I don't think prisoners can make sensible choices. If the government allows them to vote, it can bring great confusion to our society. However, I can know there are lots of grounds which confirm it is not necessarily that. Thus, I think I should consider my opinion carefully.
