Faith-based prison planned

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sat, Dec. 06, 2003

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Faith-based prison planned
A North Florida prison will be converted into the nation's first faith-based lockup. Critics say public money shouldn't be spent on religious programs.
BY JIM ASH
Cox News Service

TALLAHASSEE - Hard time will soon be hallowed time for nearly 800 Florida inmates who will be given the option of doing time in the nation's first prison dedicated to ''faith-based'' rehabilitation.

Gov. Jeb Bush made the surprise announcement Friday at a White House-sponsored press conference in Tampa that spotlighted President Bush's attempts to give religious organizations a greater role in solving social problems.

''For those individuals who are motivated to change their lives, programs like this can make a tremendous difference and create a pathway out of the criminal justice system,'' the governor said.

Under the governor's plan, the Lawtey Correctional Institution in rural Bradford County, with its eight prison dormitories and 791 inmates, will house inmates who have volunteered for the program. To be eligible, they will have to be within three years of completing their sentences and have had clean prison records for the previous 12 months, said Florida Department of Corrections spokesman Sterling Ivey. (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/7426617.htm

[JCMach1]

1. This is CLEARLY unconstitutional

The facilities are State-owned.

[liberalnurse]

15. Yeap!

I imagine Judge Moore is going to appy for the Warden's job....

:crazy:

[rooboy]

2. Does this mean they'll use crucifixion for the death penalty?? n/t

[truthisfreedom]

10. they already do. look at the injection table.

edit: you may have to copy and paste link to a new window. (geocities.)

[tabasco]

30. No, they'll throw them in a vat of molten brimstone.

I might support that for some killers.

[davhill]

3. Twelve step programs do work

and many people do experience genuine religous conversions in prison. It makes no sense to eliminate such progams in the name of blind Constitutional dogmatism.

[rooboy]

4. So if the Moonies ran a prison...

that's the kind of religious conversion you'd be in favor of?

[davhill]

5. I am in favor of the applicaition of simple common sense

[anakie]

20. or the Muslims

[murielm99]

22. We need to give the Wiccans a prison then, too

[Judi Lynn]

6. You don't think there are ulterior motives?

(snip) Charles Colson
How a Watergate crook became America's greatest Christian conservative.
By David Plotz
Posted Friday, March 10, 2000, at 6:30 PM PT


John McCain and George W. Bush, who agree about virtually nothing, agree about Charles Colson. In his speech lambasting Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and the "agents of intolerance," McCain singled out Colson for praise, complimenting the Watergate felon for his prison ministry. Bush, meanwhile, has given Colson a Texas prison wing to run on Christian principles. The Inner Change program is the show horse of Bush's faith-based initiatives. Colson is increasingly beloved outside the GOP, too. When the New York Times needed an op-ed about the Republican religious war, they turned to Colson, who high-mindedly deplored efforts to divide evangelical Protestants and Catholics.

Colson's sanctification caps one of the most extraordinary redemptions in recent history. Colson doesn't like to talk about his Watergate villainy. He calls himself a "sinner" and demurs, "I was a part of Watergate." He has good reason to be cagey. As special counsel to the president, he was Richard Nixon's hard man, the "evil genius" of an evil administration. According to Watergate historian Stanley Kutler, Colson sought to hire Teamsters thugs to beat up anti-war demonstrators, and he plotted to raid or firebomb the Brookings Institution. He eventually pleaded guilty to scheming to defame Daniel Ellsberg and interfering with his trial. In 1974, Colson served seven months in federal prison.

Colson had found Christ before he went to jail. (Democratic Washington, of course, considered his conversion a joke.)

Prison cemented his faith. When he was released, he wrote the mega-best-seller Born Again and used the royalties to start Prison Fellowship Ministries. Prison Fellowship's purpose is to save convicts' souls and help them turn around their lives. (Colson once said he would trample his own grandmother to get Nixon re-elected. Now he would run her down to bring someone to Jesus.) Colson has given his life to the cause, visiting the bleakest prisons to preach the gospel. (snip/...)

http://slate.msn.com/id/77067/

[davhill]

7. Maybe they will give felons the right to vote now

[DoYouEverWonder]

51. Jeb restored Colson's right to vote

When he pardoned him.

1000's of other Floridians were denied that right simple because they had the same name as a felon. But good old Chuck got his pardon and is now back in business. Way to go, Jeb.

[aquart]

60. Pardoned Colson?

Jesus.

[Malva Zebrina]

9. let them experience a religious conversion

that's fine. No one objects to that--but having their "own" Christian facility paid for by Tax payers is unconstitutional. You do know who is behind the Christian ministries, right? Google in Chuck Colson prison ministry--other Christians are complaining of the arrogance of Bush's use of "their" religion in an improper way--interpreting Christianity for them in a version that is alien to their own Christian teaching--others not Christian, object to his advertising Christianity as the basis for his "leadership" in a war. ALl of those should fight this with everything they.ve got.

It is items such as this one that allows the Christian right to grow abd further spread it's fundamentalist literalist perspective and is a huge step toward the establishment of a state religion. You are aware that is the purpose behind much of the Christian religion, I hope.

If this is allowed to happen, forget it--George Bush's erzatz Christianity will reign over all of us. It is the use of emotionalism such as this that cause people to want "to help" everybody wants to see a prisoner turn his/her life around, rignt? I do also, but not in an entirely new building built solely for them on my money, so they can in effect, have a brand new Christian church--I mean who can question the conversion of the prisoners--is that not a good thing>

Better fight this one with everything we've got.

[ima_sinnic]

13. "blind Constitutional dogmatism" ??? WTF???

unbelievable! I am at a loss for words!
so the hell with the Constitution that guarantees us certain basic rights (including the right NOT to have people's mythologies forced on us at every turn)--it's too "dogmatic." let's replace it with something more "flexible." even better, let's do away with it altogether.

[dolo amber]

55. Agreed.

Let's certainly not be reactionary calling a state funded CHRISTIAN prison *unconstitutional*...:eyes:

[MojoKrunch]

18. 12 step programs are *voluntary*.

Prison is not.

Mojo

[mikehiggins]

19. Step programs DO work but

only when voluntary.

A "volunteer" program in prison?

A volunteer is a person who can walk away anytime he or she decides to. Try doing that in prison.

Not to mention the fact that we would have to set up Jewish prisons and moslem prisons and native american prisons, etc., etc. How about a Buddhist prison?

The idea that "faith based" necessarily means "Christian" is a very good indication that this is another assault on the first amendment and won't survive a legal challenge that is probably already being written up.

[Walt Starr]

24. Sorry, but I give no ground in adherence to the constitution

It's either blind contitutional dogmatism or this is no longer a nation of laws. There is no middle ground.

[UpInArms]

25. davhill, you are a very interesting

person -

I have read many of your posts - but this one takes the cake!

blind constitutional dogmatism??

so which one of your rights are you willing to give up?

let's see - the freepers are willing to sacrifice all but the 2nd Amendment and it appears that you are willing to just cut up the first

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

"respecting an establishment of religion" may have many meanings, but it seems to include the separation of church and state.

I have no beef with people that chose to worship in any way that they please (so long as it causes no harm - al a Jim Jones), but I do not wish any of my government's many branches to control or proselytize - that becomes a state sanctioned religion and can easily grow into something that will control how all of us worship (or not).

Very dangerous ground upon which you tread, my friend.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

31. Who would Jesus execute?

Who would he put in prison?

[maryallen]

36. You haven't heard?

A twelve-step program is for people who WANT it, not for people who NEED it.

[Skittles]

47. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

DOES THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU ?????

[jukes]

53. blind Constitutional dogmatism?

I'm ready to blindly and dogmaticly risk my life defending the Constitution, ONCE AGAIN. The Consitution prohibits this kind of theocratic, sectarion incursion; and promoting this type of unconstitutional use of government agencies to spread religion is treason.

How deep is your conviction to force your mythology on me?

[aquart]

61. Justice is blind.

The constitution, however, is real clear about this.

A prison is being set up for fundamentalist Christians. Yes?

So we're segregating by religion. With public money.

Oops.

[0rganism]

8. Are the bars still made of metal? Are the guards armed?

Faith my ass. More like phoney bullshit to placate the right wing nutjobs.

[0007]

16. I wonder if these prisoners of God will abstain from sexual desires?

Just one more stupid idea that is shrouted for political gain and not for the incarcerated.

[R Hickey]

11. Rush Limbaugh's new "big house."

So now religion is the opium of the people who formerly consumed opium religiously.

The Bushovics know that corporate-state-sponsored superstition works better than rigged elections to keep the ignorant in line. By diverting money from 'public sectarian schools' into 'private religious prisions,' it sounds, to gullible citizens, like Govenor Jeb Bush is doing good when really he's just doing more evil.

This is the perfect Republican plan for oppression. Now the 'drug war' can be called a 'holy war.'

Religion has over the centuries established quite a record in inquisions, and in holy wars, too. Amerika seems to be time-traveling back into Christianity's darkest ages. Americans are the most superstious, church-going population on earth. Bush is already re-fighting the Crusades in the name of Holy Halliburton.

Gaud bless the double-speak Bushovics for merging religion back into government oppression. This scheme also dovetails well with President Bush's approval this year to export American made leg-irons, thumb screws, and other torture instruments to the holy Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Spreading American democracy and culture to whatever foreign land seeks it.

Next step, the Bushovics will be using those thumb-screws here. Perhaps Jeb's new holy prison will have a secret wing built especially to re-pioneer the age old art of dipping unpatriotic-godless-communists, and anti-war heretics into boiling oil.

[ima_sinnic]

14. yes, excellent assessment!

"faith-based prisons" my ass!
btw, WWJD? were he to "reappear" he'd undoubtedly be quickly incarcerated and sent to a "faith-based prison" for brainwashing to eliminate his highly questionable socialistic attitudes and condemnation of money-changers and warmongers.

[Sideways]

38. Opium and The NEW AMERIKAN TALIBAN

Onward KKKristian Taliban marching off to harvest......Gawd... Allah Whatever I am fucking HIGH.....

I love the smell of CONTROL in the morning.....

[izzie]

12. I do not know why that made me laugh.

By the way how many faith-based business and people went to Iraq. We lost all that in the last few months. Anyone tracking that?

[booksenkatz]

17. Taxpayer dollars

should never, ever be used to convert a segment of the population to a particular religion. It doesn't matter what religion, it doesn't even matter if there's some measure of "good" to be found in the exercise... the entire practice is totally unconstitutional. Why is Christianity being chosen for this endeavor, to the exclusion of all other religions? Especially the Bush Brand of Christianity, which is blood-soaked, hate-based and greed-coated.

This taxpayer-funded religious conversion horseshit needs to be fought before it spreads like the flu.

Coff coff shiver.

[soup]

21. ready by December 24th

Wonder if john e. bush will attend the ceremony and sign a few more Bibles? Wasn't it last Easter that he visited a prison and autographed Bibles for inmates?


a few interesting bits:

Department of Corrections Secretary Michael W. Moore, Deputy Secretary Richard Dugger and Chief of Staff Peggy Ball will tour and dedicate the new faith-based dorm (based on Senate Bill 912) at Wakulla Correctional Institution on April 22, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. All interested media is invited.

The Department of Corrections received more than $611,000 for the creation of faith-based dorms at six prison facilities. This is a continuing effort on the part of Florida's DOC to help inmates develop inner strength, positive behavior and more education so that they may become productive citizens upon their release. Additionally, the department was appropriated $1,940,000 for 400 faith-based transitional beds and $2.5 million for 16 new chaplains and 52 transition release specialists at all the major institutions. Wakulla Correctional Institution is the final faith-based prison dorm to open in Florida under Senate Bill 912 that passed during the 2001 Legislative session.
http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/fci/wakullafaith.html

But just a few feet away, in a dorm used for a new program that groups religious inmates together, the conditions are less crowded and more private. Residents of that dorm not only have access to nightly programs about religion but also training sessions in job skills, computer use, literacy, substance abuse prevention and anger management.
>snip<
In addition to the extra space and privacy granted to the faith-based dorm residents, the roughly 340 inmates in the program can attend two hours of counseling and training sessions each night and have computer access not granted to non-participants, corrections officials acknowledged.

One lawmaker who voted against the legislation that created the program said it reeks of state-sponsored religious endorsement. Rep. Mark Weissman, D-Parkland, said it is unfair and unconstitutional to group religious inmates together and then offer them more programs and privacy.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/042902/met_9269853.html

----------------

So, john e., how's that program for reinstituting the voting rights for ex-felons coming along? Still backlogged? Still take well over a year for a case to come before the clemency board?

>snip<
She said an estimated 613,000 felons were denied voting rights three years ago, and 167,000 of those were black. As a a result, she said, 5 percent of Florida's voting-age public and 10 percent of the black voting-age population were blocked from the polls
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/5597531.htm


The Felon Vote

State Courts Should Decide Ex-Felons' Voting Rules, Federal Judge Rules

Felons Have Allies in Vote-Ban Case
Law enforcement and justice department officials file amicus brief

Elizabeth Amon
The National Law Journal
01-14-2003

A group of former law enforcement and senior U.S. Department of Justice officials have filed an amicus brief urging a U.S. Circuit Court to restore voting rights to felons.

The amicus brief is signed by 14 people, including former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder, former Solicitor General Seth Waxman and numerous former U.S. Attorneys, including G. Douglas Jones and Wilma Lewis.

The case, Johnson v. Bush, No. 02-14469C, challenges the validity of a Florida law that strips felons of all voting rights even after they have finished serving time and rejoined society. It was rejected on summary judgment last July and will be argued before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March.

James Johnson, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who is now a partner at Morrison & Foerster of San Francisco and co-counsel on behalf of the plaintiffs, said that having such prominent law enforcement figures as strong advocates strengthens their argument: "It is a very powerful signal about what, from a policy perspective, makes sense here."

Florida is one of eight states in the country that permanently disenfranchises felons, although it does reinstate the privilege in a small number of cases. The suit is on behalf of more than 600,000 ex-felons, or about 10.5 percent of the state's black citizens of voting age and about 5 percent of Florida's voting-age population.
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1039054573756


TALLAHASSEE - Nearly 3,000 people were locked up in June, the largest number of new inmates in any single month in Florida in more than a decade.

The bulge in the state prison population, which caught officials by surprise, was largely driven by a big jump in the number of people being imprisoned for drug crimes, according to state Department of Corrections figures.

The immediate problem -- a looming lack of bed space -- may have been resolved last week when Gov. Jeb Bush signed an emergency measure shifting more than $65 million from reserves into a flurry of new prison construction.

But officials are starting to question what is causing such a large and unexpected spike in prison admissions while, as politicians are quick to point out, the crime rate has dropped to record lows.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/6562864.htm

To regain the franchise in Florida, most ex-prisoners must complete a fourteen-page clemency questionnaire. Nicholas Thompson, in his Washington Monthly article, reports that the questionnaire asks everything from the irrelevant (their religious preferences, the cause of their parents' deaths), to the invasive (the names of children parented out of wedlock), to the potentially invidious (the names and purposes of any organizations to which they belong). If this paperwork does not prove sufficiently daunting, however, Florida requires in addition that those seeking re-enfranchisement typically appear before the governor and his cabinet--an intimidating requirement rarely demanded by any other state. Following that, petitioners must file with a state board that reviews the questionnaires and forwards its recommendations and investigative reports--which the subjects themselves are never allowed to see--to the governor, who by law is vested with "unfettered discretion to deny clemency at any time for any reason." Since only the most resolute complete this obstacle course, in a typical year, 1999, only one out of every three hundred eligible ex-convicts in Florida succeeded in regaining the vote. (One of Florida's rare "successes" in this regard is Charles Colson, the Nixon administration official convicted in the Watergate scandal. He was pardoned by Governor Jeb Bush in 2000.)
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1252/12_129/87869038/p2/article.jhtml?term=

----------------------

BALLOTS? NO. BIBLES? Yes.
such a deal......

[Walt Starr]

23. Having been a volunteer prison minister I can state emphatically

These prisoners will be converted and show every sign they have changed theie ways. All the way up until they are released.

Prisoners are con artists. Prison is the best school to produce con artists. If it looks like acting a particular way can get them released, they will act that particular way.

This is doomed to failure. The recidivism rate will be nearly 100%.

[UpInArms]

26. I worked in a Sheriff's office

(with the county jail being a part thereof) almost 30 years ago -

I watched in amazement the overnight "born agains" that "converted" within hours of their incarcerations.

After achieving bail, most forgot their newly found beliefs within hours and were back to their old lifestyles -

This is just a horseshit program and anyone who thinks that "faith-based" incarceration will "cure" people of their "sins" is more gullible than I had imagined.

I will add, that there are many people - when faced with the consequences of their actions - that do change and have changed and are able to atone and to attempt to make amends - that are released on parole that work hard at becoming good citizens -

but I put no stock in "faith based" crap mandated by the governmental hand.

[0007]

28. Like Rush Limbaugh will be a victim of recidivism also!

Not a prisoner yet, but a con artist.

[bemildred]

29. Yes. Any halfway bright Con will eat these people for lunch.

One could probably get some really funny footage out of the
"rehabilitation" sessions.

[Malva Zebrina]

27. I am just appalled at this

arrogance. Indeed, George, along with Poppy and Jeb are the successgul triumverate. Interesting role Jeb plays here. They will see to it that the nation is invaded, the leaders killed and converted to Christianity.

What a woeful tale to be told about the United States of America--I may not live to see it, but my sincere hope is that the people of America regain their spirituality in whatever form they appreciate beauty and truth, recognize that excessive corporatism, the "sell", the excessive consumerism, the disconnect from things academic, or the villifying of such, is recognized as an approach to that way of life is not worth it in the short time we spend here on earth.

Striving constantly, knocking others out of the way, revenge as a goal, excessive competitive spirit, is also a use of time that is wasteful and, imo, does not reap in any rewards, spiritually, but does reap in, maybe, a few more bucks, more desired recognition, more access to power than the other.

This nation has lost it's soul--Bush is the final and the worst presdient ever to have been in charge--he was not elected, and he should have been challenged immediately thereafter. The Supreme Court building should have been stormed by angry people demanding their votes be counted, and the people should have demanded they refuse the case as it was not withing their purvue to decide an election.

Now we have this fascist leaning religion creeping in to our public institutions. It is Colson sleeze--but how many Christians will point that out? I suspect this: In view of the fact that virtually, in spite of all the abuse George heaps on the constitution re separation of church and state that--no one, no other Christian organisation is defending or is criticizing very loudly because perhaps they, as Christian institutions, also want some of the easy welfare money the people of this country will hand to them to proselytize , evangelize and convert.

As an atheist, a citizen tax payer, I object loudly to this chipping away at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights which protect me. This is a threat that causes anxiety. The Christians are setting up a tyranny that is dangerous to others who believe in a different religion or to those who believe in no gods.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

32. Only in America.... Churches running prisons.

Is it just me or is there something really sick with that concept.

[underpants]

33. In SE Va. fundamentalist run the ASAP program already

ASAP is the "treatment" program for DUI convictees. Luckily I never got a DUI but I've known several people who have, no one was hurt and they have changed their ways.

The couple who run the program are true blue fundies and unless you truly accept the Jesus Christ as your lord and savior you don't pass. You have to either go back through it or pay for private treatment. They are a very skeptical lot too. Lip service doesn't impress them they need to see action preferably attending their church. Look, no sympathy for drunk drivers from me but this particular situation is ridiculous. Oh BTW if you get busted for pot ( through co-workers I knew a guy who got caught with about half a joint---long story)and he lost his license for a year and had to go through the same ASAP program.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

35. Many local 12 step groups end up run by fundies... they, in turn

end up running "treatment centers." It's a sad state of affairs.

[finn]

39. no one should run a 12 step group

the leaders do not govern

[prolesunited]

42. Handing the churches

ultimate captive audience to fill their pews. :puke:

[leesa]

34. Pity the prisoner who has to go here.

Reminds me of movie, The Shawshank Redemption

[Kitsune]

37. At the moment, it's voluntary

But I wouldn't be surprised to hear of more faith-based prisons in the future. The fundie right has such a hard-on for both and it's inconceivable they won't try to combine the two on a far more widespread scale.

Cruel and unusual? o.o

[Bozita]

40. Is a faith-based court system next?

Or how about faith-based police? How different would this be from the religious police in Saudi Arabia who chased schoolgirls back into a burning school because their heads were uncovered?

[tlcandie]

57. Actually, after reading an article about the Saudis yesterday...

I noticed Bozita that it seems to me that * IS setting the US up for the same situation as the Saudis..

Instead of the House of Saud...it will be the House of * and instead of whatever religion is allowed there ours will be Christianity ONLY.

Interesting that the Christians (self-righteous) are in such a hurry for the end of times. From what I've read and understood, IF Revelations does come to pass, THEY will be the ones who are left behind and not those of us whom they pushed, abused, punished, tortured, and denied to partake of their holy and righteous religion...man-made I might add.

The House of * coming soon to a state near you!!!

[Corgigal]

41. Like others here

I too have a personal story. A guy who ran over my husband with a car and also crippled a woman with the same vehicle got out of prison 22 years early over "finding" religion. The States Attorney office wrote to us and told us to move , which we did. This guy had a preacher man appear with him and the judge bought it. Of course we were never told that he was appearing in court.

SO, he was arrested in Ohio, for attempted murder and is still out. After that he then moved to New Hampshire and now lives in Florida.

So because of his newfound religion and that preacher man, who I hope I never run into walking along a street one day, we all get too look over our shoulders. Like our prisons systems work now to begin with, we have to allow this crap.

As long as we can sue the prisons/preachers when they get out and hurt someone in society. I bet that isn't allowed.

[PurityOfEssence]

43. But a murderous Christian is a much nicer person than a murderous heathen

I'm sure you can get enough people to ascribe to this claptrap.

We are so far down the road to Wrongville that I wonder if there are any exits left.

[TruthTeller]

44. Somebody explain history to the * family, please!

The Quakers started "faith-based" prisons already. If Jeb does this, then only the Quakers should have the right to run them. It was their idea first.

TT

[donsu]

45. Watching Florida Crumble

nt

[Kool Kitty]

46. When I read something like this,

my first smartass reply is always-"This is a joke, right?" Then I realize exactly what this administration really is, and I know that they are serious. Please, let's make sure these people are all unemployed in 2005.

[pfitz59]

48. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

"Nurse Crachett, er, Sister Cratchett will see you now...."

[SiobhanClancy]

49. We Catholics used to have something like this...

it was called the Inquisition.

[joefree1]

50. Kinda makes this Paine quote more poignant

"Persecution is not an original feature in any religion, but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law."
-- Thomas Paine

[rocktivity]

52. Whose "faith" is it anyway?

Prisoners who meet the minimum requirements will be offered space at the facility on a first-come, first-served basis...they will receive religious-based classes in everything from ''parenting'' and ''character building'' to job training...

Exactly what religion will it be based on? Christianity? If so, Catholic or Protestant-based? Will inmates who observed, or want to observe, Judiasm, Islam, Bhuddism, Wiccan, Satanism or no religion at all be eligible? Also, the program is voluntary and first-come, first-serve--should someone who truly wants to use faith to turn their lives around be bumped because someone is say they are just to get out of jail sooner?

I do like the job training part, though--as long as it's training for the kinds of jobs that can get them out poverty and keep them out. A living wage will go much further than "character-building" or "faith-based morality" to the prevention of solving one's socio-economic problems with crime.


rocknation

[Malva Zebrina]

54. the problem is that there is no follow up

no way to tell if all of it has been successful--and we know the sleeze of the Christians from their past records--especially Colson and his contributions to the coup of the Southern Baptist Convention--it is not beyond them, imo, to fix the numbers to make it appear as though they have been enormously successful in stemming the recidivism rate amongst those who have been "born again" in their tax payer funded Christian country club for prisoners who are born again efforts. I read that seventy percent of the volunteers who will teach these prisoners are Catholics. It is said that one can be of any religion to participate--but no matter--you must attent the classes the Christians are teaching--I can imagine Muslims doing this--can you?

[tlcandie]

58. Those who are prounced CURED will have been trained to

oversee the NEW recruits who will join up for the puters, training, more room, better meals, etc., etc.

Brainwashing the masses via prisons...it is a cleaner version of the NUMBERS racket in African prisons..

Do you think Jesus, Buddha, Allah or any others you care to list would be admitted to this feast of the souls being sold at the Crossroads of Hell?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

59. Doesn't this discriminate against aetheists?

Believers get all kinds of bennies while non-believers roast in hell. I wonder if believers get voting rights restored upon release, despite the Florida law which Harris, et.al. used to kick 73,000 legitimate voters off the rolls.

[gate of the sun]

56. disgusting

and inappropriate and a bit frightening......I hate to see what the religious right would do to this country given a chance....don't most prisons offer religous attendance and 12 step programs anyway.....