Jail contractor pushes religion, lawsuit charges

[truthpusher]

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/breaking_news/10926960.htm

Posted on Thu, Feb. 17, 2005

Jail contractor pushes religion, lawsuit charges

PETER JACKSON

Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The hiring of a contractor that allegedly mixes religion with the vocational training it provides to inmates at a northern Pennsylvania jail violates the state and federal constitutions, two national civil-liberties groups charged Thursday in a lawsuit filed in federal court.

The groups - Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the American Civil Liberties Union - are seeking a court order barring The Firm Foundation of Bradford County from including religious activities in the program it has operated for the Bradford County Correctional Facility since 2002.

The civil suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton on behalf of a half-dozen local citizens, alleges that the company's employees proselytize inmates in the work-release program and pressure them to pray.

It also says the company violated its contracts with government agencies by hiring Christians exclusively and by using inmates to do demolition work at a local church.

more:
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/breaking_news/10926960.htm

[wordslikelead]

1. stuff like this doesn't shock me anymore

I don't really understand it though. Why do people make such a big deal about religion?

The way i see it, who wants to work with a group of religious fanatic assholes anyway? Well, apparently the people who filed suit.

[mutus_frutex]

2. It's a question of discrimination.

If these programs help them have a better quality of life inside jail and also help them to get paroled, those that can't participate because of religious reason are discriminated against.

[liberalnurse]

4. It won't work that way.....

They can just serve straight time then......No skin off any ones ass.

[mutus_frutex]

7. So, do I have to understand that that you think it's ok to discriminate

against people with different beliefs or just without them??

[liberalnurse]

8. It is not the issue in jail......

They can just eliminate the option of the program. It's not about being discriminated against....There is not the money to render special options....

They just need life essential medical care, 3 meals a day, a bunk, bathroom privileges with a shower,clean clothes, one visitation per week, to be safe from harm and once a week a commissary delivery. Thats it. Anything else is a gift.....It has nothing to do with discrimination. Oh, they do get to see their lawyer or clergy as needed.

[mutus_frutex]

9. I do think it is.

If the outcome of a judicial decision depends on the religion of the person, I think it clearly is discrimination. Regardless of the fact that the person is in jail.

If you can assure me that these programs have no effect whatsoever on the outcome of a parole hearing, then I'll accept them, as long as they are not paid for with tax money. If they do have an effect then they have to be open to everybody, regardless of religion, or other programs have to be made available.

[liberalnurse]

10. No, they already have been sentenced.

Work Release is an option for inmates with good behavior and reach the level of what some may call a "trustee". It can reduce their time served by participating if they want to participate and are eligible. They can screw up and loose the privildge too.

There are other ways to get good time.....being a pod worker, working in the kitchen, cleaning crew/porters.....things like that. The Work Release Program is NOT the only one option.

Another program could be a drug rehab option too....Complete the rehab and the time served/sentence can be reduced. Just realize, they have alredy been sentenced for the crime....these programs are a bonus option.

It is not a discrimination issue. I bet they drop the case and eliminate the program in PA. Makes sense to me. Let the inmates serve hard time.

[mutus_frutex]

12. I will try to make myself more clear:

First let me concede that I don't have much experience with the intricacies of the justice and jail system in the US. That said, I think I have lived here for enough time to have grasped the basics of some of the most important constitutional issues.

It all boils down to what constitutional rights are lost when somebody goes to jail. Since you seem to agree that people in jail do not loose their 1st amendment rights (at least those related to freedom of religion) I think equality should be maintained. Otherwise you have discrimination.

Cheers..

[liberalnurse]

11. This is a county jail......

not a state prison. Parole is for state prisoners/convicts. They don't have Work Release for prison, not to my knowledge. There may be the rare exception program in the country but it is highly unusual. Prisons do have vocational training and other work areas in the prison property where they inmate does production or farming. There is also a Pre-Release Program for prisoners...preparing to find work and set-up a life style upon release from prison.

Jails are your local folks with short sentences for the majority.

[wordslikelead]

5. yeah

I understand that. I just don't understand what Xian's like the ones running this program are thinking. Maybe they don't think. Maybe they don't care. I wish people would think of humanity as whole for once instead of pushing their own little agenda.

[mutus_frutex]

6. Well, they seem to be obsessed with spreading their belief..

That's the thing. And the more captive the audience the better. That is why the go after people in jail, children, the poor, etc..

[liberalnurse]

3. I imagine it is not mandatory

to participate. Church clergy from all denominations go into jails daily and have services in the pods. That has gone on for years. It is voluntary attendance.

It would not surprise me that the inmates felt pressured to participate in prayer or assumed they had to pray to stay in the program. Frequently, Work Release Program participants are conducted by groups from a religious base.....thats their motive, to save souls. Most companies and/or groups want nothing to do with the inmate population.

This may eliminate the Work Release Programs if the suit is successful. This means they have to serve straight hard time. Oh well, watch out for what you ask for......