Trial Over Christian Prison Rehab Program Opens
A U.S. District Court in Iowa heard opening arguments Monday in a case alleging that a Christian inmate rehabilitation program partially funded by the state discriminates against prisoners of different faiths.
A U.S. District Court in Iowa heard opening arguments Monday in a case alleging that a Christian inmate rehabilitation program partially funded by the state discriminates against prisoners of different faiths.
Leaders of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative say the program serves to reduce the number of convicts who return to prison and that for reasons of religious freedom, the government should not prevent Christian groups and inmates from seeking change through their faith.
"Religious organizations ... cannot be quarantined," said Anthony Troy, the defense lawyer for Prison Fellowship, the ministry that runs the program.
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Troy said that the state cannot seek out contracts for services while excluding Christian groups.
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, which filed the suit on behalf of a prisoner and others, however says that the state has become excessively entangled with religion, thus violating the constitution. The case carries implications for the future of faith-based initiatives, which offer social services through religious organizations funded by government money.
Inmates can take part in the program "only by being subjected to religious indoctrination," said the plaintiff's attorney, Alex Luchenitser, according to the Des Moines Register.
The InnerChange Freedom Initiative, which has been lauded by President Bush, is a 24 hour per day 7 day per week program where inmates participate for 18 months before they are scheduled to be released. According to a description on the ministry's website, the program distinguishes itself from therapeutic models of prisoner rehabilitation by integrating biblical principles through the entire program, and describes itself as a Christian community.
In the Iowa program, where there are about 220 inmates take part, Luchmeister said that "InnerChange has taken over an entire unit of a state prison and turned it into an evangelical church," where prisoners receive preferential treatment, according to the Associated Press.
In addition, he said that prisoners receive special visits from family members, have guaranteed jobs and access to computers that others cannot reach.
One inmate, John Hammers, a convicted sex offender testifying through a video conferencing system, said that inmates can join regardless of faith and were not required to convert to Christianity in order to enroll. He described himself as a Christian, according to AP.
Bobby Shelton, who is in prison for theft and drug charges, said that based on information he had received about InnerChange, if he took part in the program, he would be required to pray Christian prayers that would identify Jesus as the Son of God, according to AP.
"There is no possible way for me as a Sunni Muslim to participate without blaspheming my faith – blaspheming my God," he said.
Troy, however, said that prisoners enter the program "with eyes wide open"
"There is no evidence of coercion," the defense lawyer said.
The case is expected to last two and a half weeks, ending on Nov. 8.
