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May 19, 2007
Secular Humanists Sue Over Faith Groups' Contract with Prisons Agency
Secular Humanists Sue Over Faith Groups' Contract with Prisons Agency
By David Royse
Associated Press Writer
The Christian Post
Sat, May. 19 2007 03:42 PM ET
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - State prison officials Friday denied an allegation contained in a lawsuit that agreements with two faith-based contractors to provide transitional housing for released prisoners are unconstitutional.
The Council for Secular Humanism and two private citizens filed the lawsuit Thursday in circuit court in Leon County, alleging that the Department of Corrections' contract with the two faith-based groups violates the state constitution's prohibition on state revenue going to aid "any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution."
The lawsuit called for DOC contracts with Prisoners of Christ Inc. and Lamb of God Ministries to be ruled unconstitutional and be discontinued.
DOC pays Jacksonville-based Prisoners of Christ and Okeechobee-based Lamb of God to provide "faith-based substance abuse post-release transitional housing."
The prisons agency responded that the contracts weren't unconstitutional because they specifically called for the state money to be used only for secular purposes.
DOC spokesman Robby Cunningham pointed out that among the language in the contracts is a provision that the vendors must "ensure that state funds are used for the sole purpose of furthering the secular goals of criminal rehabilitation, the successful reintegration of offenders into the community, and the reduction of recidivism."
The contracts include provisions that require the organizations to not consider participants' religious beliefs or lack of them when determining admission to the program. The contracts also stipulate "the program shall not attempt to convert an offender toward a particular faith or religious practice."
But officials with the Council for Secular Humanism said Florida's constitution bars state money from going to benefit sectarian institutions, and that the organizations are clearly that. Robert Rivas, the attorney for the council, said the case could be an important test on the constitutionality of other state contracts with faith-based groups.
Officials with Prisoners of Christ and Lamb of God didn't respond to calls seeking comment.
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070519/27516_Secular_Humanists_Sue_Over_Faith_Groups'_Contract_with_Prisons_Agency.htm
Posted by lois at May 19, 2007 09:38 PM