Punishing criminals is an outrage among the progressive set, who work diligently to reframe a prison sentence as little more than a change of address.

Criminal justice and voting rights advocates in Massachusetts are trying to potentially put a question on the 2028 ballot that would allow those serving prison time on felony convictions to vote in state elections while behind bars, according to State House News.

Massachusetts voters revoked the right for Bay Staters imprisoned on felony convictions back in 2000.

Republican Gov. Paul Cellucci got the ball rolling in 1997 by filing a constitutional amendment, saying “those who can’t obey the most basic laws should and will have no say at the ballot box.” The question was put on the 2000 ballot, and voters approved it by a margin of 64% to 36%.

A prison sentence on a felony conviction is a serious thing. It reflects the severity of conduct and disregard for the law that warranted incarceration until the debt to society is paid. Losing the privileges of freedom, such as voting as a citizen, is part of paying that debt.

But that concept is too often overshadowed by an agenda that bestows victim status on criminals while ignoring the actual victims of said crimes.

“The real push behind this effort is definitely coming from folks who are currently incarcerated, who want to be able to participate fully in what exists of our democracy,” said K. Melchor Quick Hall, a Women’s Studies Research Center scholar at Brandeis University who is the campaign’s universal voting restoration co-coordinator.

They can participate fully when they are released from prison. That’s the law in Massachusetts, and 22 other states.

In 15 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, felons lose their voting rights during incarceration, and for a period of time after, typically while on parole and/or probation. Voting rights are automatically restored after this time period.

In 10 states, felons lose their voting rights indefinitely for some crimes, or require a governor’s pardon for voting rights to be restored, face an additional waiting period after completion of sentence or require additional action.

The details may differ but the idea is the same: do the crime, do the time, have the privilege to vote restored afterwards.

Reform supporters say allowing incarcerated individuals to participate in elections for governor and other state offices would better position them for life after prison.

“It’s very important for incarcerated individuals to feel connected to their communities, so when they do get released back into society — and so many of them will and do — to have been playing a role in having that connection with their community and having a say is a huge part of, one, being a citizen, but also their rehabilitation and helping the reentry into society,” said Chrissy Cassa, legislative director for the Empowering Descendant Communities to Unlock Democracy project.

It is important for returning citizens to reintegrate into society, to get jobs, support their families and partake in the freedoms enjoyed in our country. That’s why prison education programs are crucial, as are re-entry centers, substance abuse treatment, vocational training and other supportive platforms.

That’s how prisoners can get on the right track and contribute to society once released. That’s when they should once more have the right to vote.