Bill would let inmates do public service work for churches

The Sun Herald, 3/24/8

A bill that has received final legislative approval would let Mississippi inmates do public service work for churches.

The final version of the bill passed the House on Monday after passing the Senate last week. It now goes to Gov. Haley Barbour.

State law already allows inmates on work-release programs to perform tasks for city, county or state government or nonprofit charities.

The bill that would authorize inmates to work in churches does not specify that they could perform public service duties in synagogues, mosques or other places of worship.