Restoring Rights to Former Felons: The Debate on Voting and Gun Ownership

Allowing the denial of any right to any free or freed citizen threatens the rights of all citizens. This has established a legally defined underclass that all must legally treat as such to avoid prosecution.

The Importance of Full Inclusion for Released Prisoners

If we have freed someone from prison and they can now live amongst the rest of us, they better be able to function like the rest of us. In other words, if my government isn't comfortable with the idea of a freed prisoner having a gun, that prisoner should not be freed. If a former prisoner can't handle the freedom of gun ownership, they still represent a danger to society and should remain in prison.

We should only free people who are ready and capable of living in society peacefully and lawfully with the rest of us. If we are afraid of ex-con Bill getting his hands on a handgun, why let Bill out of prison in the first place? If a prisoner has paid his debt and is ready to live as a good citizen, that prisoner should be afforded the same rights as the rest of us.

The Role of Rehabilitation in the Criminal Justice System

You know, I've given this a whole lot of thought over the past few years. We make a lot of claims about our criminal justice system being designed to be rehabilitative, to make the criminal a meaningful member of our society. That is the goal of the system, or at least it claims to be the goal. And if you are truly rehabilitated, then you should be trusted again with your full rights. That includes the right to vote, to me by the way.

Having said that, I don't think it should be some arbitrary 'if you've been out of trouble for this many days, you get rights back' formula. I would prefer if on a person-by-person basis, they applied to have their rights restored. This would already happen in some jurisdictions, and a judge would have to provide a good reason to deny it. Basically, it should be a 'shall restore' process where the default is that rights should be restored without good cause. Obviously, I'd want the convict to showcase that they have re-entered society in a meaningful way – they have gainful, non-criminal employment, but after that, I'm cool with it.

Eliminating Disenfranchisement: The Role of Voting Rights

Further denying a freed person the right to vote disenfranchises them and makes them feel like they are not part of our national whole. That's not a recipe for happy, informed, productive post-prison citizens.

Moreover, the process of restoring voting rights should be fair and transparent. If a prisoner has completed their sentence and reintegrated into society, their right to vote should be automatically restored. This ensures that they feel integrated and continue to participate in the democratic process. Instead of fighting for these rights piecemeal, lawmakers should focus on making the process swift and streamlined.

The Broader Implications of Denying Rights

The denial of these rights extends beyond the individual and can have detrimental effects on communities and society as a whole. When former felons are denied their rights, it creates a cycle of disenfranchisement and re-isolation. This not only hinder their ability to reintegrate but also fuels resentment and alienation from society.

A fair and just society should embrace reformed individuals, not shun them. By granting former felons their full rights, we promote a more inclusive and cohesive society. This, in turn, can lead to safer communities and a more productive citizenry.

Conclusion

Restoring the rights of former felons, particularly their right to vote and possess firearms, is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to create a just and fair society. It's not about giving up on rehabilitation; it's about ensuring that rehabilitation means full integration into society. By restoring these rights, we can foster a more inclusive and prosperous community for all.

Keywords: felony, rehabilitation, voting rights, gun ownership, societal integration