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State approves $134K to provide religious programming for prison inmates
COLUMBUS — A state lawmaker panel OK’d about $134,000 to provide religious programming for prison inmates.
The State Controlling Board, without comment today, approved contracts renewals for the next two fiscal years with Native Sun Positive Human Development in Columbus and Chabad House of Cincinnati.
Prison inmates retain their rights to practice their religious beliefs while incarcerated.
According to documents, “The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is legally required to make provision for their religious exercise. ... Under that statutory enactment, the state cannot take action or institute policy that would substantially burden an inmates religious practice, unless it is the least restrictive means of achieving a compelling state interest.”
The services are considered essential components in inmates’ rehabilitation and eventual release, according to documents.
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Comments
On the face of it, $134,000 seems like "a lot" of money; however, with a prison population in Ohio of about 52,000 (as of 2008) it's "only" about $2.50 per inmate.
I wonder how much they allocate to cable TV service? (which is not mandated as far as I know)
I hope they use this money the right way, by teaching right from wrong. I hope some wacko doesn't want to start his own religion in prison. If religion helps them "find their way" then I say send more on it. There's nothing wrong with it