The Scotsman

MSPS set to discuss prisoner voting

- By CHRIS MARSHALL

The convener of a committee of MSPS has called for the ban on prisoners voting to be “reexamined” ahead of a meeting today.

Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee will hear evidence on the issue after Green MSP Patrick Harvie last year called for alternativ­es to the blanket ban.

Under the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Parliament has new powers over the fran- chise for local and Scottish elections.

The UK is one of the few places in Europe where there is a complete ban on inmates exercising their democratic right.

Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, committee convener Christina Mckelvie said: “The historic reasons preventing prisoners from voting need to be re-examined.

“Do we still want modernday prisoners to face so-called civic death?

“We need to consider how removing the right to vote sits with rehabilita­ting offenders, and also what constitute­s a proportion­ate punishment for people who have broken the law.”

Scotland’s judges have previously outlined their opposition to plans allowing them to decide on whether a prisoner should be given the vote.

Lord Carloway, Scotland’s most senior judge, said the judiciary was against suggestion­s that the decision could be made by trial judges in individual cases.

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