Genius
Posts: 953 
Location: Calgary, AB
Location: Calgary, AB
January 14th, 2006, 03:30 PM
http://www.ctv.ca//servlet/ArticleNe...on2006&no_ads=
Prisoners exercise their right to vote
Friday was voting day for prisoners across Canada. About 35,000 were eligible to vote, and many seemed to be voting Liberal in order to protect privileges that Conservatives threaten to take away.
"We're all voting for the Liberals, just because we want to keep our vote," Jeff Power, an inmate at Manitoba's Stony Mountain facility told CTV Winnipeg. "We don't want to lose rights like our TVs, stuff like that."
The Conservative Party is showing better results in the campaign polls than it has seen in years, and some hardened criminals are nervous. Many of them, like Power, voted Liberal today primarily to keep the Tories out of office. They're worried the party will claw back benefits they have received under Liberal rule.
Power, who is serving a six-year sentence for drug trafficking and robbery, was one of 177 inmates who cast his ballot Friday in the Stony Mountain facility. He proudly displayed his Liberal stripes, with a Maple Leaf and Liberal 'L' shaved into the side of his head and outlined in red.
"Everyone is afraid the PCs are going do dehumanize inmates," Power said.
And from cell to cell, prisoner after prisoner told CTV Winnipeg they were voting Liberal, with no exceptions.
There's no question, Harper supports harsher policies for those who break the law. The Liberals are also promising tougher sentences for criminals, especially for violent and gun-related crimes. But the Tory platform -- and Harper's position against allowing prisoners to vote -- is what seems to have struck fear in inmates' hearts.
"No, I don't agree with prisoner voting," Harper has stated plainly.
At least one of his opponents feels differently.
"The courts don't sentence by taking away citizenship, and citizens have a right to vote in this country," said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton.
The 2004 election marked the first time inmates were allowed to cast a ballot, thanks to a 2002 Supreme Court of Canada decision that ruled it was contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to bar prisoners from voting.
Before the decision was made, prisoners serving sentences of two years or more were barred from voting. The court ruling gave all prisoners the right to vote regardless of the length of their sentence.
Today there are about 36,000 prisoners in jails across the nation and 25 per cent of them are expected to vote.
Like other Canadians, they have beliefs and ideals they want to defend with their vote.
"Myself, I have a family, I have children and grandchildren. So I'm really concerned about their futures," said Dennis Malcolm, a convicted murdered.
But not everyone agrees that prisoners should have the right to vote. Jack McLaughlin, a victims' rights advocate whose son was murdered in 2000, believes criminals forfeit some of the privileges of citizenship.
"Prisoners should not be allowed to vote. They must give up some privileges when they go to jail," McLaughlin told CTV Winnipeg.
For the moment though, every vote counts. And if the race remains close, those votes could play a vital role in electing the next government.
http://www.ctv.ca//servlet/ArticleNe...on2006&no_ads=
Prisoners exercise their right to vote
Friday was voting day for prisoners across Canada. About 35,000 were eligible to vote, and many seemed to be voting Liberal in order to protect privileges that Conservatives threaten to take away.
"We're all voting for the Liberals, just because we want to keep our vote," Jeff Power, an inmate at Manitoba's Stony Mountain facility told CTV Winnipeg. "We don't want to lose rights like our TVs, stuff like that."
The Conservative Party is showing better results in the campaign polls than it has seen in years, and some hardened criminals are nervous. Many of them, like Power, voted Liberal today primarily to keep the Tories out of office. They're worried the party will claw back benefits they have received under Liberal rule.
Power, who is serving a six-year sentence for drug trafficking and robbery, was one of 177 inmates who cast his ballot Friday in the Stony Mountain facility. He proudly displayed his Liberal stripes, with a Maple Leaf and Liberal 'L' shaved into the side of his head and outlined in red.
"Everyone is afraid the PCs are going do dehumanize inmates," Power said.
And from cell to cell, prisoner after prisoner told CTV Winnipeg they were voting Liberal, with no exceptions.
There's no question, Harper supports harsher policies for those who break the law. The Liberals are also promising tougher sentences for criminals, especially for violent and gun-related crimes. But the Tory platform -- and Harper's position against allowing prisoners to vote -- is what seems to have struck fear in inmates' hearts.
"No, I don't agree with prisoner voting," Harper has stated plainly.
At least one of his opponents feels differently.
"The courts don't sentence by taking away citizenship, and citizens have a right to vote in this country," said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton.
The 2004 election marked the first time inmates were allowed to cast a ballot, thanks to a 2002 Supreme Court of Canada decision that ruled it was contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to bar prisoners from voting.
Before the decision was made, prisoners serving sentences of two years or more were barred from voting. The court ruling gave all prisoners the right to vote regardless of the length of their sentence.
Today there are about 36,000 prisoners in jails across the nation and 25 per cent of them are expected to vote.
Like other Canadians, they have beliefs and ideals they want to defend with their vote.
"Myself, I have a family, I have children and grandchildren. So I'm really concerned about their futures," said Dennis Malcolm, a convicted murdered.
But not everyone agrees that prisoners should have the right to vote. Jack McLaughlin, a victims' rights advocate whose son was murdered in 2000, believes criminals forfeit some of the privileges of citizenship.
"Prisoners should not be allowed to vote. They must give up some privileges when they go to jail," McLaughlin told CTV Winnipeg.
For the moment though, every vote counts. And if the race remains close, those votes could play a vital role in electing the next government.
Senate Member
Posts: 5,147 
Location: Saint John, N.B.
Location: Saint John, N.B.
January 14th, 2006, 05:26 PM
At the same time, I don't have a problem with letting inmates vote.
Quoting
That is crazy.
""The courts don't sentence by taking away citizenship, and citizens have a right to vote in this country," said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. "
That's crazy. Citizens also have the right to freedom of mobility.
That's crazy. Citizens also have the right to freedom of mobility.
At the same time, I don't have a problem with letting inmates vote.
Genius
Posts: 953
Location: Calgary, AB
Location: Calgary, AB
January 14th, 2006, 05:38 PM
I have a problem with convicted criminals in prison being able to vote in federal elections. When you go to jail you loose you freedoms and certain priviledges, and I don't think the right to vote and influence society should be given to them until they have done their time.
I have a problem with convicted criminals in prison being able to vote in federal elections. When you go to jail you loose you freedoms and certain priviledges, and I don't think the right to vote and influence society should be given to them until they have done their time.
the clan of the claw
Posts: 1,976
January 14th, 2006, 06:03 PM
" I don't have a problem with letting inmates vote."
i agree, colpy.
this topic should not be a surprise to anybody. lets see, Group X is threatened with the loss of rights/privilages if Party Y forms the government, so Group X votes for the best choice to protect said rights and is in a position to potentially form a government.
" I don't have a problem with letting inmates vote."
i agree, colpy.
this topic should not be a surprise to anybody. lets see, Group X is threatened with the loss of rights/privilages if Party Y forms the government, so Group X votes for the best choice to protect said rights and is in a position to potentially form a government.
Senate Member
Posts: 5,147
Location: Saint John, N.B.
Location: Saint John, N.B.
January 14th, 2006, 07:01 PM
Let's face it, there are not enough inmates to really make a difference.
If there are enough inmates to really make a difference, society has a much bigger problem than the wrong party getting elected.
Quoting
Personally, I have a problem with disenfranchising anybody, once they've reached the age of majority.
" I don't have a problem with letting inmates vote."
i agree, colpy.
this topic should not be a surprise to anybody. lets see, Group X is threatened with the loss of rights/privilages if Party Y forms the government, so Group X votes for the best choice to protect said rights and is in a position to potentially form a government.
i agree, colpy.
this topic should not be a surprise to anybody. lets see, Group X is threatened with the loss of rights/privilages if Party Y forms the government, so Group X votes for the best choice to protect said rights and is in a position to potentially form a government.
Let's face it, there are not enough inmates to really make a difference.
If there are enough inmates to really make a difference, society has a much bigger problem than the wrong party getting elected.
Genius
Posts: 953
Location: Calgary, AB
Location: Calgary, AB
January 14th, 2006, 07:26 PM
yes you are have a good point colpy...it is probably not enough to make a big difference, however I am of the principle that one you are incarcerated you loose your "luxury" rights.....and I don't see how you should be able to have any influence on the outside till you have paid your time.
yes you are have a good point colpy...it is probably not enough to make a big difference, however I am of the principle that one you are incarcerated you loose your "luxury" rights.....and I don't see how you should be able to have any influence on the outside till you have paid your time.
Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 4,465
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
January 14th, 2006, 10:35 PM
With all due respect, Hank C, I do not consider the right to vote for one's Government a "luxury" — rather, I would consider it, as does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to be a democratic right, inherent to the individual. On that basis alone, I am in favour of allowing inmates the retention of the right to cast their votes.
One must keep in mind that, to prevent inmates from voting, the Government of Canada would be required to put forth an amendment to the Constitution Acts; this would be an extremely difficult process.
With all due respect, Hank C, I do not consider the right to vote for one's Government a "luxury" — rather, I would consider it, as does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to be a democratic right, inherent to the individual. On that basis alone, I am in favour of allowing inmates the retention of the right to cast their votes.
One must keep in mind that, to prevent inmates from voting, the Government of Canada would be required to put forth an amendment to the Constitution Acts; this would be an extremely difficult process.
Member
Posts: 179
January 15th, 2006, 05:23 AM
I dislike allowing inmates to vote because of the impact it has on crime legislation in Canada. By allowing inmates to vote we're allowing those who have chosen to be part of a serious national problem (crime) to have a say in how we solve that problem. It almost borders on "allowing the inmates to run the asylum".
Quoting
No offense, but that's poor logic. We also have a freedom of mobility, obviously, but going to jail eliminates that entirely. It's a dirty secret, perhaps, but jails essentially take away rights as a disciplinary measure. I don't see a compelling argument for why voting shouldn't be such a lost right.
With all due respect, Hank C, I do not consider the right to vote for one's Government a "luxury" — rather, I would consider it, as does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to be a democratic right, inherent to the individual. On that basis alone, I am in favour of allowing inmates the retention of the right to cast their votes.
I dislike allowing inmates to vote because of the impact it has on crime legislation in Canada. By allowing inmates to vote we're allowing those who have chosen to be part of a serious national problem (crime) to have a say in how we solve that problem. It almost borders on "allowing the inmates to run the asylum".
