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Jersey prisoners granted the right to vote

Prisoners at HMP La Moye will get the opportunity to vote in upcoming elections, thanks to a groundbreaking move by Jersey politicians.

Constable Len Norman, who brought the proposition, argued the move had to be made keep the island in line with the European Convention for Human Rights.

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Voter apathy among prisoners expected to continue, despite law change

HMP La Moye

Even if all prisoners in the islands have the opportunity to vote, the man who oversees those behind bars in Jersey doesn't think many will want to.

This week, the States voted in favour of a law which will mean convicts serving sentences of four years or less will be offered the chance to cast their ballots.

But the Governor of Jersey's HMP La Moye, Bill Millar doesn't believe there will be much take up.

At the moment, remand prisoners and those who have the right to a postal vote elsewhere in Europe can vote, if the country they'll be voting in allows prisoners to do so, but in the eight and a half years Mr Millar has been Governor at La Moye, he says he's not seen a single person take the chance.

I don't think there'll be a huge response to be honest, but that's based on our experience with remand prisoners where there really hasn't been any interest in casting a vote.

But bringing in those convicted and serving less than 4 years will bring in different individuals who might want to take up that opportunity so I think some might [want to vote], but I think there'll be very, very low in number.

– Bill Millar, Governor, HMP La Moye

It is a similar story in Guernsey. Although inmates have been eligible to vote since 2004, in last years election only two prisoners chose to do so.

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