A defence lawyer says the Government has an obligation to rehabilitate prisoners, including letting them vote.

The National Party is opposing a bill that would give them the vote, saying it shows the Government is putting offenders' rights ahead of victims.

Barrister Marie Dyhrberg told Mike Hosking cutting prisoners off and making them feel less of a member of society will only increase their sense of isolation.

"It would probably make them not care because society has rejected them."

Dyhrberg says we can't undermine just how valuable the right, not the privilege, to vote is.

"It should be the right of every adult person living in New Zealand."

LISTEN ABOVE

• Greens candidate says prisoners have the right to vote