Today that number has increased to 1,179. Many women in prison are there because they committed crimes of poverty such as prostitution, or crimes related to substance abuse. If we truly believe in rehabilitation and elimination of the revolving prison door, we should offer such women skills and the hope that they can rejoin society-not just in the margins of poverty, but in the workforce and with basic economic security. Restoration of voting rights to these women should be part of the package of rights and responsibilities that help to bring people in from the margins. We know that participation in the voting process is inter-generational.
Children learn their democracy skills from their parents.
Mothers who participate in the voting process would be positive role models for their children in this area. This bill would make a modest change in the rules that would have a large impact on individuals and families. The current system for restoring voting rights is not only too late, but unclear and inefficient. With implementation of the proposed law, the process will be more organized and less confusing. The Secretary of the State and the Department of Correction will set up systems so that voting restoration will become part of an inmate s release package.