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Columbus OH - A state lawmaker panel OK’d about $134,000 to provide religious programming for prison inmates.

The State Controlling Board, without comment today, approved contracts renewals for the next two fiscal years with Native Sun Positive Human Development in Columbus and Chabad House of Cincinnati.

Prison inmates retain their rights to practice their religious beliefs while incarcerated.

According to documents, “The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is legally required to make provision for their religious exercise. ... Under that statutory enactment, the state cannot take action or institute policy that would substantially burden an inmates religious practice, unless it is the least restrictive means of achieving a compelling state interest.”

The services are considered essential components in inmates’ rehabilitation and eventual release, according to documents.