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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Remove the ban on prisoners voting from the Representation of the People Act

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The UK’s ban on prisoners voting was ruled to be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights in 2005. There are a plethora of benefits to be gained from removing this ban: aiding inmates’ rehabilitation; providing a connection to the outside world; and representing their views.

Denying voting rights to criminals who receive a custodial sentence is dehumanizing and hinders rehabilitation. It also means politicians do not take the rights, needs and interests of prisoners seriously enough. The Representation of the People Act should be amended to remove this ban and allow all prisoners (not just e.g. those released on temporary licence) to vote. Ultimately, voting is a human right, and it is highly unethical to restrict this for so many.

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10,000

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  • Petition closed

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 22 December 2022.