Kerre Woodham: Prisoner vote ban last refuge

Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

At the same time as British prisoners have finally gained the right to vote after a long and lengthy court battle, our prisoners have lost the right to have their say on who will run the country.

Previously, New Zealand had a Solomon-like ruling that saw prisoners sentenced to less than three years incarceration entitled to cast a vote; those deemed to be more serious offenders and sentenced to longer than three years were denied the privilege.

Now, all prisoners have been told their votes aren't wanted. It would be interesting to know how many eligible inmates voted at the last election.

There's absolutely no evidence to suggest that denying prisoners the right to vote will reduce crime and Michael Bott, a human rights lawyer, has described this as a petty and spiteful piece of legislation from a mean and miserable government.

He's probably right. But petty is the last refuge of the law-abiding. Banning gang patches. The three strikes law. And now this.

All ultimately futile but how else can society indicate its displeasure lawfully, other than passing legislative burrs to place under offenders' saddles?