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At age 69, former felon Allen Barnett had his voting rights restored by then-Gov. Paul Patton in 2002. After serving about 18 years of a 20-year sentence at the Kentucky State Reformatory in La Grange for bank robbery, Barnett admits he was lucky; most felons don't automatically get their rights back. "When you get out, you got nothing," Barnett said at a meeting last night of the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression at the Carl Braden Memorial Center, 3208 W. Broadway.
On Feb. 28, the alliance will take about 800 felons and others by bus to Frankfort in support of House Bill 70. The bill would restore the voting rights of most felons, once they've served their sentences and are no longer on probation or parole. The bill seeks an amendment to the state constitution, which would have to be approved by voters. A similar bill passed the House last year, but died in the Senate. The alliance estimates the bill, which was introduced in the House on Jan. 8, would restore rights to about 128,000 felons in Kentucky. The bill specifies some categories of felons who would not automatically get their voting rights restored without an executive pardon. They include those convicted of treason, bribery during an election, some murder offenses, and some crimes involving deviate sexual activity. Anyone considered to be "idiots and insane persons" also would be excluded. The bill has since been reviewed by the House Rules Committee, which added other felons to those categories, such as those convicted of first-degree manslaughter; first-degree promoting of prostitution or second-degree trafficking in prostitution; trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school; or manufacturing methamphetamine. Another amendment would require felons to complete a certified civics-review course before the restoration of their rights takes effect. The alliance hopes eventually the rights of all nonviolent felons will be restored and their records expunged so they could lead productive lives once they leave prison. Barnett, 75, now volunteers for organizations such as the alliance. "I met a wonderful woman who took me in and gave me a place to live," he said. Helping others who've faced the same hurdles as he has brought great meaning to his life. Anyone interested in riding the bus to Frankfort on Feb. 28 can call the alliance at 778-8130 or 416-8779. Buses will leave Louisville about 7 a.m. and arrive in Frankfort about 9 a.m., said Albert Caples, a member of the alliance's prisoners' rights committee. Reporter Charlie White can be reached at (502) 582-4653. Source: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/NEWS01/302180012
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