Q&A: UK prisoners' right to vote
- Published
Only prisoners on remand can currently vote
The government is set to allow prisoners the vote but it wants the right limited to those sentenced to a year or less, rather than the four years previously considered.
The move comes seven years after the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled that banning convicted killer John Hirst from the polls had breached his right to participate in the democratic process.
BBC News looks at the background to the case and the issues surrounding prisoner voting.
Why is the government giving some prisoners the vote?
What is Britain's position compared with other European countries?
What led John Hirst to begin his campaign?
Why was the case heard in the European Court of Human Rights?
What are the arguments against prisoners voting?
What are the arguments in favour?
Will giving prisoners the right to vote make any difference?
Who else is currently denied the vote in UK ?