MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Gov. Bob Riley is asking Alabama's churches to take care of newly released inmates, saying the state doesn't have the money or the flexibility.
Riley told a group of about 500 people in Montgomery on Tuesday that churches have more resources to help inmates re-enter society.
He called on the religious leaders to provide services to former inmates, including employment assistance, housing, clothing, health care and cash.
Riley says the state's churches can rise to the challenge just as they do in response to natural disasters such as hurricanes.
The director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Bill Johnson, says the state releases 11,000 inmates a year. He also noted that programs to help former inmates aren't popular with taxpayers even if the state had the money.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement