HC Deb 14 July 1992 vol 211 c537W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts are made to ensure that remand prisoners may exercise their right to vote.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Only unconvicted prisoners, including civil prisoners and fine defaulters, who are at least 18 years of age and who are registered as electors can vote, by means of a postal vote. An instruction to prison service establishments includes guidance on prisoners' eligibility to vote, and on handling applications for postal votes from prisoners. Consideration is now being given to supplementing this with a reference in the prisoners' information pack, which is given to prisoners on reception into prison, about the right of unconvicted prisoners to vote.