Spending the public's money on a faith-based rehabilitation program in which Iowa prisoners immerse themselves in evangelical Christianity is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 28-page decision, concluded the program at the Newton Correctional Facility has advanced religion at government expense. The eight-year-old program now operates solely on donations after Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, signed legislation earlier this year eliminating a state appropriation.
A total of 104 inmates participate in the Newton program, spending seven days a week in work, counseling and prayer, with a heavy emphasis on Bible teachings.
The court case has attracted national media attention as a test of President Bush's initiative for faith-based government services. Similar treatment programs are sponsored by Prison Fellowship at prisons in Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Texas.
clipped from: desmoinesregister.com