Florida's governor announces plans for nation's first faith-based prison

(RNS) Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has announced the creation of what he calls the nation's first entirely faith-based prison at a facility in his state.

The governor's plan for the faith-based prison is for more than 790 inmates to live in eight dormitories at the Lawtey Correctional Institution in Raiford, Fla. Participation by inmates is voluntary and entry into the program will not depend on the inmate's faith preference or lack of faith.

Those who choose to be part of the program will be involved in faith-based activities seven days a week. Programs will focus on such issues as family life, personal growth and life skills.

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized the governor's plan.

"This is a clearly unconstitutional scheme," he said in a statement. "A state can no more create a faith-based prison than it could set up faith-based public schools or faith-based police departments."