Island prisoners can vote, says minister

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson says taking part in the Island’s democracy is a valuable way to encourage prisoners to become a useful part of society.

In the UK, a row is raging over whether convicted inmates should have the right to vote – the UK government says no, while the EU says yes.

Mr Watterson says historically, it’s never been an issue on the Isle of Man, and prisoners vote by post in their home constituencies.

He says it’s a good way to persuade them to take part in Island life and give up criminality: