A Leon County Circuit Judge is considering a case filed by an atheist group against Florida halfway houses, after recently hearing oral arguments.
The Center For Inquiry is suing Lamb of God and Prisoners of Christ, two groups that provide re-entry services to former inmates. According to Florida law, state funds cannot directly or indirectly aid a church or similar institution. The Center for Inquiry argues the groups are doing just that. But Daniel Blomberg, legal counsel for the rehab organizations, says there aren’t good alternatives.
“Part of the issue here is there’s not a long line of people who are willing to come work with individuals who are criminals coming out of jail and have substance abuse problems. These are the people that have showed up,” he said.
The groups are self-described ministries that provide faith-based programs. They are both contracted by the Department of Corrections to provide housing, substance abuse treatment and job counseling.
