Jail Canteen Funds To Churches Is Challenged

Last week, the Virginian Pilot reported that Virginia sheriffs have paid public monies to Christian groups that provide Christian Bible study and counseling in local jails. The sheriffs are donating proceeds from their jail canteens to the religious organizations. The largest payment was $45,650 contributed by the former Hampton County sheriff to Southeastern Correctional Ministry Inc. These revelations led the ACLU of Virginia last week to file a Freedom of Information Act request for records from 3 jails. (ACLU Release.) "Jails may accommodate the religious needs of inmates by funding chaplains’ services that offer assistance to all prisoners regardless of their faith," said ACLU of Virginia executive director Kent Willis, "but they cannot pay a Christian ministry to bring only the Christian message into their jails." Saturday's Hampton Roads Daily Press also reports on these developments. [Thanks to Alliance Alert for the information.]