Voting rights

Published on 23/11/2012 00:00

It is difficult to understand why there has been so much fuss about prisoner voting rights and what is wrong with upholding their human rights (your report, 19 November).

On average, we may assume that only 60 per cent of prisoners will bother to vote at all, ­reflecting the general level of voter enthusiasm in the wider population.

Of those, there will be recidivists who are even less likely to be motivated to vote.

Equally, there will be prisoners whose crimes are relatively minor, who are not a threat to society and whose continuing right to vote may actually help their rehabilitation.

Is prison not about rehabilitation and not merely punishment? Is not preparing for life outside as important as expiation of one’s sins?

Trevor Rigg

Greenbank Gardens

Edinburgh