United Kingdom: Jersey prisoners granted the right to vote

Giving Jersey prisoners the right to vote is ‘the right thing to do’, according to the head of Jersey’s Probation Service.

Brian Heath said the move by politicians in the States this week brings Jersey in line with the European Convention for Human Rights and the majority of other European countries.

He also explained how prisoners at HMP La Moye, who had the right to vote somewhere that prisoners are allowed, can have their say via a postal vote.

For example, an Irish prisoner in Jersey who could vote in an Irish election would be allowed to do so, whereas a Jersey born prisoner in jail in the island would not have been offered that opportunity to exercise his or her democratic right.

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