Allowing prisoners to vote could help them become more law-abiding when they are released, MSPs have heard.

Criminology expert Cormac Behan said it could be a "hook for change" in the prison population.

He was giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Equalities and Human Rights Committee, who are re-examining the possibility of giving inmates the vote.

Mr Behan, from the University of Sheffield, discussed the situation in Ireland, where prisoners have been allowed to vote since 2006.

He said the issued was framed as an electoral rather than penal issue and had caused minimal disagreement.

He said: "It's one of what I would consider of a wider mosaic of citizenship to encourage prisoners to participate and to see their role as contributing to society, and giving something back.

"As well as having responsibilities they also have obligations and can contribute to society both inside and it might engender a sense of commitment to the pro-social law abiding life outside."

He said despite not having evidence to show prisoner voting reduces re-offending, it would "send a very powerful signal to prisoners that they are part of society".

Mr Behan said his research showed around 10% of prisoners in Ireland had voted since 2006.

However, he pointed out that the prison population is largely comprised of a young men with a low level of education - a generally low-voting demographic.

He warned against retaining a ban based on crimes or sentences, adding: "I would argue that regardless of crime or sentence people are part of the community and should participate in the community through voting."