The Modern Cives Sine Suffraggio: Dimensions of Criminal Disenfranchisement in Europe

Despite much interest, we still know little about criminal disenfranchisement in Europe. This article conducts an original study of the practice of disenfranchisement in 43 European democracies, accounting for the size and traits of the targeted population, the components of restricted rights, and the timing and length of limitations. Based on these findings, and taking the US as a reference, the article demonstrates that considerable disenfranchisement policies persist in Europe. The article concludes by arguing that disenfranchisement is but one of many restrictions that alter offenders’ citizenship status, and proposes further venues of research in this area.