Hundreds of violent offenders could vote, figures show

Figures reveal that 1,780 criminals convicted of violent or sexual offences would be eligible to vote under plans to give prisoners voting rights.

The BBC learned last week that the government wants to limit the right to those sentenced to less than a year.

Ministry of Justice figures for England and Wales at the end of 2010 show 1,551 inmates convicted of violence against a person serving less than a year.

There were 229 people convicted of sexual offences in the same bracket.

Labour MP Gloria De Piero obtained the figures, which relate to the number of people in jail in England and Wales at the end of December 2010, by submitting a request to the Ministry of Justice.

The ministry add a disclaimer, saying the exact figures "are subject to possible errors", but the political effects cannot be mistaken.

To read full article click here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/9378742.stm

Votes for prisoners: Bang to rights

It has been a rough week for the coalition, and the Lib Dems' ambitions for constitutional reform have had the worst of it. The battle for the alternative vote teeters between success and disaster, while the attempt to allow prisoners the vote is taking on water. Complying with the 2004 ruling from the European court of human rights is still on the agenda, but in so weak a manner as to be likely to provoke a new legal challenge.
To read more click here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jan/24/editorial-prisoners-vote-echr?CMP=twt_gu