MSPs discuss giving Scots prisoners the vote
MSPs on Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee have taken evidence on the arguments and practical points around giving prisoners the right to vote. It will also consider whether devolved powers could be used to make a change.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK’s blanket ban on giving convicted prisoners the vote on several occasions.
Voting rights for prisoners were briefly debated but rejected at Holyrood in 2013, in the run-up to the 2014 independence referendum. Green MSP Patrick Harvie has since written to the Committee suggesting expanding the franchise and the Committee are therefore taking evidence on the issue.
The Howard League for Penal Reform are one of the organisations giving evidence to the Committee, and set out their arguments for why this change should happen here:
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