Life is extremely hard for those convicted of a felony. In addition to the legal bills felons have to deal with, not to mention the time spent in prison behind bars, the rights convicts lose are numerous. Life is changed irreparably when one is convicted of a felony, though most would say this is rightfully so, as felonies are very serious crimes. What ex-con rights are affected? What rights do ex-felons lose? What are the things that someone formerly incarcerated for a felony can't do? People may consider you an ex-con, but you've done your time and don't deserve to be punished your whole life.
Ex-felons' rights are a lot more limited than that of the average person, and the limitations are a lot more widespread than you might think. Though some of the things on this list aren't necessarily impossible for felons, they might as well be.
Vote up the things felons can't do after their release from prison that surprise you the most. Which ex-cons' rights do you think they should still have?
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1Travel Abroad
Felons aren't forbidden from obtaining US passports, but that doesn't mean they can easily leave the country. Many countries place visa restrictions on convicted criminals, and may not allow them to enter.
Travel restrictions depend on the crime, too. Drug traffickers and people convicted of sex tourism, for example, are not allowed to travel internationally.
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2Vote
In all states, there's a process to renew your right to vote after becoming a convicted felon. Losing the right is called disenfranchisement, and the process for getting those rights back varies by state.
In some states, it's a permanent ban; in others you have to apply and lobby to prove you should be able to vote. In still other states, you regain the right after a set time (depending on the crime).
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Hold Public Office
In many states, it is illegal for a convicted felon to hold office. However, some areas allow felons to hold public positions after a certain time period.
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Bear Arms
Under US federal law, felons lose the right to bear arms. However, those rights can be reinstated in many states, even for people convicted of violent offenses.
Gun ownership laws have been gradually relaxed since the '80s, and more and more areas prioritize the Second Amendment over more recent rulings.
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Easily Get Financial Aid For Education
Those who are incarcerated for a felony offense are often ineligible for government financial aid for education.
However, many of these restrictions do not apply after one has been released from prison.
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6Serve On A Jury
Many states prohibit felons from serving on a jury once they've been released from prison.
Did this surprise you?
