Note: This commentary was delivered by PFM President Mark Earley.
Just yesterday, we received some good news concerning the InnerChange Freedom Initiative, or IFI.
As you may know, IFI is an intensive and effective faith-based program for prisoners launched by Prison Fellowship 10 years ago. Several years ago, Barry Lynn and Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued IFI in Iowa, claiming it was unconstitutional. In June 2006, a federal judge agreed and ordered the program shut down-and for Prison Fellowship, which launched IFI, to repay the state of Iowa $1.5 million. Mind you, that is the money the state happily paid to IFI for running an effective program that reduces recidivism among prisoners.
Naturally, Prison Fellowship and IFI appealed. And the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has finally spoken. The three-judge panel, including former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, overturned major portions of Judge Pratt's ruling.
As Chuck Colson told me over the phone yesterday, we owe a debt of thanks to God-that He has answered the prayers of Christians across the country on behalf of IFI-and especially on behalf of the prisoners whose lives are being transformed.
Let's take a quick look at the Appeal Court's ruling.
First, the IFI program may continue to operate as a privately funded faith-based program, which all of our programs are.
Second, IFI and Prison Fellowship do not have to repay the $1.5 million to the state of Iowa. This was extraordinarily important, not only for Prison Fellowship, but also for the principle and other faith-based programs.
Third, the court ruled that Judge Pratt's allowing of so-called "expert testimony" disparaging evangelical Christians was "not only unnecessary but also offensive."
Fourth, the ruling gives IFI and other faith-based organizations additional guidance as we move forward in working with governments to address one of the most pervasive social problems facing our country: crime and the high recidivism rate of prisoners.
So, where does the ruling leave us? The privately funded IFI programs in Iowa and in five other states can continue helping prisoners become productive members of society.
A very important issue was at stake here, and that is: Can the faith community assist in assuring the public safety? The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to handcuff people of faith who are helping corrections officials turn prisoners' lives around. The keys to reducing recidivism and protecting the public from repeat offenses are the very kinds of effective rehabilitation and re-entry services provided by IFI.
But what I really hope comes out of this ruling is that faith-based organizations will continue the great tradition of charitable work. From fighting slavery to establishing hospitals; from running soup kitchens to rescue shelters; from disaster relief to ministering to men and women behind bars, people of faith have been a driving force for good in our nation. And it should continue.
So thank you for praying on behalf of IFI and those prisoners who participate in it. But I urge you to keep praying, because we are told the battle is never over. And that is surely true in this case.
