The policy of letting inmate run or vote in these elections seems half baked. I wouldn't necessarily object to inmates electing their own representation for themselves. But lumping them in with actual residents seems foolish. What do someone in the prison and someone outside it have in common? Nothing. So they shouldn't have the same rep. Similarly I doubt the local government has much say over what happens in the prison, nor do prisoners contribute anything to that government. So what practical or principle reasons are served by this?