Felon disenfranchisement laws exclude ex-felons from exercising constitutional rights, such as the right to vote, exclusively denying them full citizenship. Although the laws were intended to be neutral restrictions excluding group members with ex-felon status, they treated African Americans unfairly. Statistically speaking, one and a half million African Americans are disenfranchised (Federal Probation, Journal of Correctional Philosophy and Practice). Additionally, the denial of rights to ex-felons not only impacts ex-felons, but also has a detrimental impact on the communities in which they reside. The justice system and society have made it difficult to be a convicted criminal and be accepted as a productive member of society, almost as if you are not part of the human race. The proven restriction: felons do not have the right to vote. Restrictions placed on criminals after their release can cause additional danger and additional prison time. Instead of imposing all the stipulations and restrictions on everyone's freedom, why not help an ex-felon become a law-abiding citizen once proven, by granting him his rights one by one and seeing the result. However, even if the right to vote is exercised at certain times, the right to earn a living and provide for one's family is an obstacle that ex-criminals face on a daily basis. According to the Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C., organization that studies criminal justice policies, about three point nine million Americans, or one in fifty adults, have lost the right to vote as a result of a felony conviction. (Felon Disenfranchisement: the Modern Day Poll Tax). Thirty-two out of fifty states all prohibit parole from voting. Two other states bar ex-cons from voting after their work as Republicans and Democrats and Congress and people from all walks of life to wake up and smell the coffee. If we had more minorities in the polls voting on Election Day, all the good votes would stop going to the wrong people (Bush), for example. Society hinders criminals instead of helping them. It's time to take a stand and reward felons who have been rehabilitated, have stable employment, and have faced recurring charges because of their constitutional right to vote. with criminal record March 3, 2010'' ProCon.org''. 2008 Election March 3, 2010 http://2008election.procon.org/ ''Salary Caps'' Role Restrictions or Bans for Convicted Felons March 3, 2010 U.S. Department of Justice March 3. 2010