What about the victims? Inmates set to be given right to vote
HUNDREDS of prisoners in Scots jails could be handed the right to vote under controversial SNP proposals.
In an apparent U-turn, the Scottish Government yesterday published its preferred options for extending the franchise to inmates.
It would mean anyone serving less than 12 months would be allowed to vote, meaning up to 1,000 prisoners could have their say in general and Holyrood elections, as well as referendums.
Critics of the move attacked ministers over the plans, which will be seen as a significant climb-down as an SNP-led Holyrood committee previously recommended giving all inmates, including killers and rapists, the right to vote.
But the Scottish Government rejected the call over fears this would not strike the ‘appropriate balance’ between the right to vote and the aims of preventing crime by punishing prisoners.
Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell admitted that ‘for many people, giving any prisoners the vote will be an unwelcome change and there will be concerns about the feelings of the victims of crime’.
Instead, he believes only those serving ‘short sentences’ of less than 12 months should be allowed to vote.
A government consultation published yesterday sets out a number of options for extending the franchise to criminals.
These included barring inmates from voting as additional punishment, rather than linking it with prison time, or taking the right away from those convicted of serious crimes.
The document notes the ‘blanket ban on voting by convicted prisoners in custody is not consistent’ with the European Convention on Human Rights. However, it states this does not mean the franchise should be granted to all inmates.
Holyrood gained powers over elections in 2016 and MSPs are now considering how to comply with the Convention.
Scottish Conservative equalities spokesman Annie Wells said: ‘The Scottish Conservatives are the only party that opposes prisoners having the right to vote.
‘The committee report correctly identified that there are significant logistical difficulties with organising voting in prison, regardless of the length of sentence.
‘Our focus is on ensuring that victims are at the centre of our justice system, not the criminal.
‘Along with the presumption against sentences of less than 12 months, this proposal is another soft-touch justice message from the SNP.
‘Our message is clear. If you break the law and require to be removed from society, you will not be allowed to vote.’
Giving prisoners serving short sentences the right to vote is the Government’s preferred option. This would allow 1,000 prisoners to vote, while extending the right only to those serving six-month sentences would allow around 400 to vote.
However, the document also sets out a number of other posrequired sibilities. This includes making ‘disenfranchisement’ an additional punishment, with judges deciding whether or not criminals should be allowed to vote.
Mr Russell said: ‘The Scottish Government believes it is not appropriate to remove the ban on prisoner voting in its entirety, nor do we believe that is what is of us by the European Convention on Human Rights.
‘We also recognise that proposals to extend voting rights to prisoners might raise concerns about the feelings of the victims of crime.
‘However, the current situation is not tenable in terms of our human rights obligations and that is why we have launched this public consultation.
‘Our aim is therefore to seek views from and engage with the public on which prisoners should be allowed to vote – and crucially on what the length of sentence should be for prisoners to be granted this right.
‘We are open to hear all opinions and we invite as many people as possible to engage with us and submit their views.’
‘Another soft-touch justice message’ ‘Logistical difficulties’