Why should a prisoner be disenfranchised as a punishment, in addition to having his/her liberty taken away? Even a criminal should have a say in an election. After all, when his/her release is due, the elected Government will be in power and will affect his/her life. What other 'rights' should they be barred from? Library books? Access to the Internet? Visits from family? Fresh air and exercise? It is the lack of liberty alone which constitutes the punishment. There is a tendency to want to inflict vengeance on lawbreakers, and a conflict between punishment and reform. I have visited at eight prisons in the UK, and these issues are always to the fore.