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Boston Calling

Discussion & Talk

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Agree to Disagree

How the world looks through American eyes, and the myriad and unexpected ways that the world influences the United States.

Boston Calling: Time Served

Time Served

20/10/2018 GMT

BBC World Service - Boston Calling, Time Served

The US is one of just a few Western democracies that prevent felons from voting

The US is one of just a few Western democracies that prevent felons from voting.

Should someone who has committed a serious crime, like murder or rape, be automatically banned from voting? What about lesser crimes? In the US, even non-violent offences, such as drunk driving or possession of a small amount of marijuana can follow someone long after they've completed their sentence. Should these past offenders be allowed to vote?

Also: The notorious Rikers Island jail in New York became the scene of an art heist in which the chief suspects are prison guards; We hear about a prisoner’s experience navigating racial tensions behind bars; and finally, we meet a woman who just finished her prison sentence and is now adjusting to life on the outside.

Image: A guard tower at San Quentin State Prison in California (Credit: Corbis via Getty Images)

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