Faith-Based Prison Program Ruled Unconstitutional
Saturday, Jun. 3, 2006

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A judge on Friday ruled that a Bible-based prison program violated the First Amendment's freedom of religion clause by using state funds to promote Christianity to inmates.

Prison Fellowship Ministries, which was sued in 2003 by a Washington-based advocacy group, was ordered to cease its program at the Newton Correctional Facility and repay the state $1.53 million.

"This decision has national implications," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which filed the lawsuit. "This calls into question the funding for so many programs. ... Anyone who doesn't stop it is putting a giant 'sue me' sign on top of their building." the rest