Kentucky —

FFRF’s work saw the Logan County Detention Center reaffirm its commitment to keeping inmates from being forced to participate in religious revivals.

A community member reported that the Logan County Detention Center had been hosting religious “revivals” for inmates. County commissioners and other officials were promoting these religious worship events, and the purpose of the revivals and other events were to “save” inmates’ souls, and the detention center’s head jailer spoke about “how many ‘souls were saved’” at County Fiscal Court meetings.

Additionally, a Dec. 16, 2025, post from the official Logan County Detention Center Facebook account read, in part: “The first night of revival at the Logan County Detention Center was a huge success. Inmates braved the cold weather for some great testimonies, some wonderful worship music and a great message.”

FFRF stood up to protect the rights of inmates from religious coercion.

“Detention Center and Fiscal Court employees and officials can practice their personal religion any way they wish when acting in their personal capacities,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote. “However, they are not permitted to use the machinery of the government, and taxpayer money, to promote their personal religion to inmates or the wider community.”

The county took FFRF’s letter seriously and agreed to correct their mistake. “After receiving your letter, Judge Baker and I met with Jailer Josh Toomey to discuss the matter,” Logan County Attorney Joseph E. Ross wrote. “Following that discussion, Jailer Toomey agreed to remove the Facebook post in question in order to alleviate any concerns your organization may have.”

Ross also confirmed that the religious service, and all religious services conducted at the detention center, were conducted to be consistent with the First Amendment. The gathering occurred outside the normal daily schedule, was entirely voluntary and no inmate was coerced or required to attend. Additionally, Toomey stated that he respects the religious beliefs of all inmates, and their constitutional right to refrain from religious participation, and extends the same access to other denominations if requested by religious leaders and/or inmates.

The post The Logan County Detention Center reaffirmed its commitment to keep inmates from being forced to participate in religious revivals. (May 2026) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.