En Banc Review Sought Of 8th Circuit Decision On Faith-Based Prison Program

The state of Iowa and Prison Fellowship Ministries are seeking en banc review from the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Americans United for Separation of Church and State v. Prison Fellowship Ministries, Inc., (8th Cir., Dec. 3, 2007). The AP yesterday reported on the filing of the motion which seeks review of a decision by a 3-judge panel earlier this month. The panel concluded that a state funded faith-based inmate rehabilitation program operated in an Iowa prison by InnerChange violates the Establishment Clause. (See prior posting.)