Jail or church? Hardened criminals get choice of prison or Sunday services for a

You would have thought the choice was a no-brainer.

Hardened criminals such as thieves and conmen are to be given the chance to choose whether to serve their jail sentences in a church pew or a jail cell.

Thousands of offenders in Bay Minette, Alabama, will get off scot free as part of the new scheme to address jail overcrowding.

Only non-violent misdemeanour offenders will have the option of attending church every Sunday for a year rather than serve their sentences in jail.

Participants must check in with both the police and a clergy member each week, and if they follow the rules can have their case dismissed.

Operation Restore Our Community begins next week.

The program will allow offenders to choose their house of worship.
Sunday sentence: The non violent offenders will have to attend church every week and check in with police

Sunday sentence: The non violent offenders will have to attend church every week and check in with police

Dozens of churches of a wide range of denominations have signed on to scoop up the prospective new parishioners. So far, 56 are participating.

Hugh ‘Trey’ Dickson, Bay Minette court clerk, said it was impossible to predict how many cases the new program might affect, noting it would simply offer another alternative for addressing misdemeanour offenses.

Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland says the program could change the lives of people heading down the wrong path.

But the American Civil Liberties Union has criticised the move saying it violates the constitution.

State ACLU Executive Director Olivia Turner says that when offenders must pick between prison or religious services, they do not have a true choice

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2041253/Prison-church-Hardened-criminals-escape-jail--going-church-Sundays.html#ixzz1YrNXOeYc

Posted: at 24-09-2011 10:19 AM (12 years ago) | Newbie

Church sentence? ok make we dey see

Posted: at 17-11-2011 10:39 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

I declare that Hell will have an ENTIRE WARD just for the ACLU! It is a very wicked legal organization! They challenge anything Godly!

Anyway, I pray that they will choose life and give their lives to God.  I also pray that they will become active members in the body of Christ!

Posted: at 17-11-2011 11:17 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming