discussion

In many states, a convicted felon cannot vote, serve on a jury, or hold public office until civil rights have been restored. Some states expand that to include other "civil disabilities" that may continue long after a criminal sentence has been served, such as prohibiting ex-felons from possessing a firearm or working in a job that has a licensing requirement (such as being a real estate agent). In the U.S., an estimated 3.9 million Americans, or one in fifty adults, have currently or permanently lost the ability to vote because of a felony conviction.

In some states, the courts have granted inmates a number of civil rights through a slow process of legal review. In many other states, inmates have no rights at all and, after they are released, many former inmates only regain their rights if they apply for and are granted clemency.

The question is this: Should current and/or former prisoners enjoy all civil rights? Should those rights be limited on release or restored in full?