Sunday, March 14, 2010

Monasteries in Ex-Soviet Republic of Georgia Agree to House Prisoners

The BBC website reports today that officials in the ex-Soviet Republic of Georgia have announced a scheme to let prisoners shorten their jail terms by spending time in a monastery.

The scheme for petty criminals has been proposed by the country's Orthodox Church and government officials.

It comes at a time when the number of prisoners in Georgia continues to rise significantly, and the Georgian Orthodox Church begins to have a greater impact on the government.

It is unclear -- at this time -- how many prisoners will be allowed to become monks, or if they will have any choice in the matter.

Some 80 percent of Georgia's population is comprised of Orthodox Christians.

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