In Fall River, Massachusetts, Sheriff Thomas Hodgson yesterday called a press conference to counter complaints by Americans United for Separation of Church and State over a Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for men who have recently been release from prison. South Coast Today reported that a defiant sheriff defended the well-established Teen Challenge program run in a state-owned house by a Pentecostal pastor. All eleven men in the program have completed their prison sentences and have volunteered for the 15 month residential program involving counseling, fundraising and prayer. He says the program has a much better record at preventing recidivism than secular programs do.
Sheriff Hodgson released a letter saying: "the argument that somehow we should not allow a recovery program to operate in a transition home purchased by the Sheriff's Department would mean that we must suspend all religious activity and spiritual access within our prison walls." He went on: "You may be further upset to know that we also have conducted over 20 religious retreats at our Dartmouth facility, increased our work activities on churches, and encouraged Bible study among our population. These activities are based on voluntary participation and will continue in spite of your objections."
