Utah Church Accused Of Forced Labor

[UpInArms]

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/6705999/detail.html

SALT LAKE CITY -- A rehabilitation program at a church is facing allegations it forced people to work as telemarketers for 28 cents an hour under the threat they could go back to jail.

The state Department of Human Services, which investigated the program, notified the House of Refuge on Thursday that it had 10 days to explain itself before its license would be revoked and the program shut down.

The men were sent to the program by judges or state agencies for substance abuse rehabilitation. A department report said they were paid about 28 cents an hour, but even those wages were withheld and donated to the church.

<snip>

Steve Sandlin, one of the pastors at Central Christ Church, said he was preparing a response and did not have an immediate comment.

...more...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. a good reason why churches should not be doing government work

rehab centers have that as their main, if not only, focus. A church has as their main focus supporting the church and its beliefs. This appears to be another example of a church putting itself first and the needs of the parolees second. (About a month ago, a man who was supposedly in drug rehab in a church was told he had to join that church or go back to jail-and he was a practicing Catholic)

[Zenlitened]

2. I'm no expert on linguistics, but I think that's called...

... "slavery," isn't it? :crazy:

[BR_Parkway]

3. What are the odds Faith Based funds are involved here too?

[JeffR]

4. Faith-based slavery

[gratuitous]

5. Steve Sandlin is "preparing a response"

Mr. Sandlin, allow me to direct you to the words of this fellow (you might have heard of him) named Jesus: Let your yes be yes and your no be no. When you need time to "prepare a response" it looks like you might just be hiding behind a cross to do something illegal. Failing to register a business, not paying the employees, and not being available for comment all look very, very bad.

On the bright side, the White House is calling on line 2. How would you like to be head of FEMA?

[cantstandbush]

6. I want this to be a headline on the MSM broadcasts!! n/t

[Judi Lynn]

7. So the money they were supposed to be paid, which was forfeited

and given to the church was paid by U.S. taxpayers. They got zip for their work, and the church made money. Interesting.

Here's a small bit more info:

Friday, February 3, 2006
State may shut down program for homeless

House of Refuge accused of exploiting its clients

By Debbie Dujanovic
KSL-TV and
Erin Stewart
Deseret Morning News

"Our investigators did go down and visit with the owner, and he did admit that he was doing telemarketing but claimed to not be aware of the statute," she said.

In addition to the labor claims, the department's report also cites the church group for hygiene, saying one food handler had hepatitis C.

Since the KSL-TV investigation began two months ago, state agencies have removed the House of Refuge from referral lists and taken most of the men out of the program.

"They've already found other placements or have gone back home or have been pulled out by their probation officers," Stettler said. "I don't think they've got too many left, but they wouldn't let us in today."
(snip/)

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635181379,00.html

[sarcasmo]

8. Another reason for me to HATE Religion, Kick and Nom #2

[waiting for hope]

9. It's UTAH!

The only truly red state left.....Know what I Mean? That's where the majority of the bigamists live and they look at you funny if you are not a Mormon (www.dooce.com).....

[Judi Lynn]

10. Oh, jeez. Here's their website pastor Steve Sandlin created. What a farce.

Are you curious where that hefty 28¢ per hour salary is spent? From the website:

1. 10% for tithe paid to their home church.
2. 24% for housing costs paid to House Of Refuge (based on national average).
3. 12% for food cost paid to House Of Refuge (based on national average).
4. 20% for savings (which they cannot touch until graduation)
5. 34% for personal use and to pay bills.

http://www.utahhouseofrefuge.org/

[AX10]

11. Well, this is UTAHSTAN......