Constituencies

By Patrick

A reader writes:

Agreed, the votes of prisoners themselves do not form a substantial constituency. However, in a country with such a high rate of incarceration, the percentage of people with family or friends in prison is high. While some of those people may have reason not to wish their convict well, many actively fear for the safety of a loved one behind bars. That potential political constituency is large and growing.

This is true, but I also think former prisoners should be given voting rights.