Washington
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Pasco, Wash., took FFRF’s guidance to follow the Constitution by ensuring equal treatment of both religious and nonreligious inmates.
A former inmate of the Franklin County Corrections Center reported that policies and practice of the center incentivize religious practice and proselytize inmates. Inmates sent to segregated facilities were only allowed to have two books in their possession; however, religious inmates were allowed an extra third religious book. Through a book distribution program, an inmate was repeatedly given religiously themed books despite specific and repeated requests not to be given religious materials. FFRF’s complainant also reported that throughout the various housing units they resided in, every cell had a preexisting copy of the King James Bible.
“While it is commendable for the Franklin County Corrections Center to facilitate inmates freely exercising their chosen religious beliefs, it is inappropriate for it to organize, incentivize or reward worship,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote Sheriff Jim Raymond.
Raymond thanked FFRF for the letter and the guidance. “The religious writings (bibles, etc.) will become incorporated into the book count, each inmate receives at one time,” he wrote. He additionally reassured FFRF that no inmate was being forced to attend any religious services or receive religious reading material.
