MPs recommend prisoners to get the vote

The committee set up by the justice secretary is advising the right to vote only apply to those serving 12 months or less, writes Simon Israel.

They’ve rejected the three proposals the government put forward which included maintaining a blanket ban in violation, giving the vote to those serving six months or less, or to those serving four years or less.

In a report published on Wednesday on the draft legislation, the committee advises that giving 7,000 prisoners the right to vote is far outweighed by the importance of the rule of law and the desire to remain part of the European convention.

It states it would be impossible to refuse to implement a judgement from the European court, and maintain the principle of the rule of law.

Nine years ago, the European Court of Human Rights ruled the UK’s complete ban on voting rights for prisoners was in breach of the convention in a case brought by former lifer John Hirst.

Refused to implement the ruling

Subsequent governments, both Labour and Conservative, have refused to implement the ruling and have used it to question the UK’s relationship with ECHR and the convention.

The committee warns of grave implications by a refusal to comply, arguing it would not only undermine the standing of the UK, it would also give succour to states with a poor human rights record.

Former prisons minister Crispin Blunt who is on the committee said “The committee were persuaded by the evidence that prisoners’ loss of voting rights isn’t an effective punishment, it isn’t a deterrent, and it doesn’t help reduce crime, indeed if anything it does the opposite by working against the rehabilitation of the offender.”

The Ministry of Justice said in a statement: “The report of the joint committee is an important contribution to this process and will help inform parliament’s decisions.

“The government will consider the report carefully and will respond early next year, setting out how parliament will be given its say.”