THE ruling by the European Court that prisoners must be allowed a vote (Echo, May 20) is a sensible piece of legislation, notwithstanding the hysterical front-page screams against it in the papers.
An important aim of imprisonment is – and should be – that prisoners will be reformed by their experience of time inside.
Among such desirable lessons should be the realisation that every member of society has a right, and a duty, to contribute to democratic society by participating in elections.
Denying them that experience is to give them the message that they are mere sub-citizens, with no rights and therefore no duties toward society.
Stan Walinets, Mickleton.
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