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Alabama offenders given choice of jail time or church time

Non-violent offenders in Alabama are being offered the option of going to church every week in lieu of jail time under a new programme which launches next week.

Sep 24th 2011, 4:26 PM 420 Views 16 Comments

Image: abardwell via Creative Commons

US AUTHORITIES say non-violent offenders in southern Alabama will soon have a new choice: go to jail, or go to church every Sunday for a year.

WKRG-TV reports that Operation Restore Our Community begins next week.

The city judge in Bay Minette will let misdemeanor offenders choose to work off their sentences in jail and pay a fine; or go to church every Sunday for a year.

If offenders select church, they’ll be allowed to pick the place of worship but must check in weekly with the pastor and police.

If the one-year church attendance programme is completed, the offender’s case will be dismissed.

Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland says the program could change the lives of people heading down the wrong path. So far, 56 churches are participating.

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Alabama offenders given choice of jail time or church time