Legal Opinion Sought On New Prison Program

Wednesday, August 8th 2007, 2:30 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmakers wants an attorney general's opinion on the legality of a new program in which faith-based or community groups would work to help prison inmates re-enter society.

State Representative Al Lindley says he believes the Transformational Justice Act passed by the state Legislature earlier this year crosses the line between church and state.

Lindley is now asking Attorney General Drew Edmondson for a legal opinion on the issue. He's also asking Edmondson for an opinion on whether two boards created by the law pre-empt the authority of the Board of Corrections to set policies on re-entry of inmates into society.

Lindley was one of just four state House members who voted against the bill which was supported by state House Speaker Lance Cargill.