Felons disenfranchised by Florida GOP stonewalling Your Turn Ellen Gillette, Guest columnist Tallahassee Democrat, 2/23/2020 When I was growing up, I would sometimes hear — in conversation, in a movie — a reference to paying one’s debt to society. The implication was society required a certain number of years of a person’s life and freedom in relation to the severity of his or her crime and then it was over. Today, however, the payment of that debt drags on far longer than a prison sentence, no longer a matter of time, but of money. The prison system is constantly studied and scrutinized, researchers looking for insights into much-needed reforms. Meantime, even some of the changes made in theory have yet to become a reality. Paying restitution to victims of crime is a reasonable requirement, but the Mississippi Department of Corrections’ restitution center program is labeled as more of a debtors’ prison. While its premise is to provide an alternative to incarceration for minimalrisk offenders, giving them freedom to work off-site for funds to pay restitution, reporters at Mississippi Today discovered a darker side. Inmates in the program have little choice about participation. They often have no idea of how much of the money they earn is applied to restitution, how much pays court costs, or how long they must remain in the program to complete the requirements. Florida’s Supreme Court recently ruled it was constitutional to place restrictions on the 1 million-plus former felons who regained the right to vote in 2018. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed in a narrow ruling Wednesday. Voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 4 — a victory for those with “checkered pasts,” but one lacking substance. Before felons can enter the voting booth, they must repay all fines, fees and obligations ordered as part of their sentences. Proponents argue (and Gov. Ron De-Santis tweeted) that “Voting is a privilege that should not be taken lightly.” True, but how many would-be criminals weigh this particular sanction when considering an unlawful act? It’s hardly a deterrent to crime. A felon pays his debt to society by being incarcerated, often followed by probation. Required to pay court costs and fees, he must find work; he may have a hard time finding a job. He may have lost his driving privileges, making employment even more challenging. Some landlords will not rent to those who can’t pass a background check. Felons with resources and family support have it easier, but others face incredible challenges. They must live somewhere. They must make money some way. It’s easy to see why recidivism rates are high, to understand why desperate men and women might return to crime to survive. The system is not designed to make life easy for felons, nor should it be, but it should be revised to make “paying one’s debt” more easily attainable. Florida’s prison population is racially disparate for a number of reasons, too many to address here. But given that fact, the voting process is effectively skewed by adding financial requirements before allowing felons to vote. Critics call it a modern-day poll tax. Is this a Republican ploy to increase its party’s chances in an important voting year? Whether that is the motivation, it appears the GOP is counting on the fact there are a disparate number of black felons in Florida, the majority of registered blacks are Democrats, and restricting potential black voters is good for the GOP. Floridians spoke up for those without a voice, passing Amendment 4, yet the gag order continues. The recent revision by the governor and Board of Executive Clemency is a start; it doesn’t go far enough. Released from prison, felons have paid their debts to the very society that clearly wants their voting privileges restored. They’re still required to pay restitution, but allowing them to vote acknowledges their worth, returns a degree of dignity. It gives them a voice again. - - - Ellen Gillette, who has no party affiliation, is a freelance writer and speaker in Fort Pierce. Contact her: ellengillette22@ gmail.com.