Brennan Center for Justice

WHEREAS, several jurisdictions continue to
disenfranchise people with felony convictions who are out of prison and
living in the community, and

WHEREAS, the membership of the Association of
Paroling Authorities International recognizes that continuing to
disenfranchise individuals after conviction or release from prison is
inconsistent with criminal justice policy and violates core principles
of democracy and equality; and

WHEREAS, the Association acknowledges that it must
seek new and effective ways to foster reintegration back into the
community and prevent a return to criminal ways; and

WHEREAS, the Association believes that bringing
people into the political process makes them stakeholders in the
community and helps facilitate pro social behavior; and

WHEREAS, the Association recognizes that restoring voting rights helps rebuild families and empower communities; and

WHEREAS, the Association believes that restoring
voting rights to people who have been released from prison and are
living in the community is good criminal justice policy; and

WHEREAS, the Association recognizes there are
differing sentence structures within jurisdictions, thus the timing of
voting rights restoration will be different among jurisdictions;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the
Association of Paroling Authorities International supports the
restoration of voting rights for offenders reentering the community and
encourages the participation of paroling authorities in the passage and
implementation of laws that engage former offenders in the civic
discourse.

Adopted April 30, 2008