By Frankie deFaria

The American Criminal Justice System currently holds almost 2.3 million prisoners. This means  2.3 million American citizens who, on top of losing their freedom, have lost their right to vote. 

One may ask “Why should a prisoner even be allowed to vote? They’ve committed a crime  they don’t deserve that right.” Prisoners are, well, in prison; they have already had their freedom taken away from them. Is that not enough? Must we strip away every right they possessed as a U.S. citizen? Doesn’t that seem excessive? Bernie Sanders believes so saying, “If they’re in jail, they’re paying their price to society but that should not take away their inherent American right to participate in our democracy.” With this, one more question arises: Why is it necessary to have this debate? Why is it so important that prisoners have the right to vote? The answer: representation. 

Taking into account the prison population as a whole, the political system needs the perspective of prisoners. Prisoners have the unique experience of living in an enigmatic environment, an environment that is directly under the U.S. government’s jurisdiction. Their vote may pressure politicians and officials to take a closer look as to what occurs within these facilities: if they are receiving proper treatment, food, water, hygienic care– things which they are typically not afforded– and instances of violence, abuse, and other violations of civil rights within these institutions. A more thorough inspection of the prison system may aid in eliminating the ongoing problem of dangerous prison conditions. The prison system needs reform and there is no better way to know why and how then from the people directly affected by it. 

 The disparities in the judicial system coupled with inmates’ lack of suffrage leads to the extensive disenfranchisement of the black community in politics. Approximately 56% of prisoners are black and/or hispanic, while they make up only 32% of the U.S. population. People of color are under-represented in the government and disenfranchisement revokes the right to vote of 1 in 3 black people–yet another example of the systemic oppression that people of color endure under the U.S. government. The cycle will continue: a corrupt politician is elected, they allow the disproportionate incarceration of minorities to continue, people of color have an increasingly low eligible voting population, another corrupt politician is elected, the pattern persists without end. When given suffrage, the U.S. population can be better represented in their government.  

Additionally, granting inmates their right to vote increases their participation in society, thereby potentially increasing the likelihood that they will abide by the law when they are released. Participation in elections emphasizes that we are all members of society, of a community, working toward the change that we want to see in the world, and that we all have social ties. Without suffrage, many ties to society and communities are at risk of being cut. Contrastly, voting represents a way of creating and maintaining these ties. Thus, when maintaining people’s right to suffrage when incarcerated could enable prisoners to see themselves as useful, responsible, humane citizens of this country; the recognition of these values, the values of a law-abiding citizen, could encourage rehabilitation and aid them in reintegrating into society when released. 

So ask yourself again. Why should a prisoner even be allowed to vote? Why is it necessary to have this debate? Why is it so important that prisoners have the right to vote? The best way to know how to reform the prison system is hearing from those it has impacted. Minorities can be brought closer to sufficient representation in elections. Rehabilitation and reform could increase among inmates. In the end, the answer really is a no-brainer: granting prisoners suffrage will better society.