The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sent a cease-and-desist letter on Monday claiming the program violates the basic laws of Separation of Church and State. According to the ACLU, the government cannot coerce people to attend any religious services or ceremonies, “The government is not supposed to serve as a conduit for church recruitment.” The government’s position is that they are not trying to “save” anyone, the program is meant to provide access to community service. But the ACLU maintains that in the United States people have the right to chose whether or not they attend any sort religious services, and the when Church or Jail are the options, this isn’t really a choice at all.
The program has been suspended until the matter can be debated in court.