UPDATED
A new jail in the US state of Minnesota featured a giant mural of the Ten Commandments in the gym and famous Christian quotes on its walls, but the prisoners will never get to see them.
They included President Ronald Reagan saying that: “Within the covers of the Bible are answers for all the problems men face” and “If we ever forget we’re one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under.” A glass door reflected President Thomas Jefferson’s quote: ” I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is Just: That his justice cannot sleep forever.”
However, before the A$115 million prison officially opened in the city of Grand Rapids, the mural and the quotes were painted over with two coats because atheist groups claimed it was a breach of the separation of church and state in a public facility. They said religious displays violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the US Constitution which says government must remain neutral about religion. They first became aware of the issue during public tours of the new facility when they received 20 public complaints..
Itasca County Sheriff Joe Dasovich, who took on the role in 2023, said he didn’t make the decision to install the words, but he took responsibility for it and ordered the removal of all Christian references in the prison amid an overwhelming call to keep them.
He explained that the purpose of the mural and the quotes was to encourage and support inmate programs which include spiritual services and mental health counseling, and not to offend or create division. He said he didn’t sense there would be opposition from inmates because voluntary faith-based programs offered at the jail are well-attended. But Sheriff Dasovich ultimately conceded the mural and quotes had to be covered up to avoid costly lawsuits.
Local pastors wanted them to stay untouched. A social media post from the pastor of the Grand Rapids Solid Rock Church of God called on people to tell the Itasca County Board to leave the jail quotes as they are.
Grace Bible Chapel Pastor Greg Rhodea said that as a Christian he liked the inclusion of the Ten Commandments, but understood why those with other beliefs may not. “What I dislike the most is the way this gets everybody on edge against each other in the community, My ultimate goal is to serve the Lord and love our neighbours.”
The new jail complex includes government offices and a courthouse addition, increased space for inmates and programs and a mental health practitioner. It includes 184 beds for inmates, up from 75 at the current jail. The county of just over 45,000 residents overwhelmingly approved a 1% sales tax to pay for the project in 2022.
Its not the first time the Ten Commandments have been removed in this region of Minnesota. A monument that stood on the lawn of the nearby Duluth City Hall for 47 years was removed after a federal judge said its presence violated the separation of church and state. The 720 kilogram hunk of granite was taken to a garage that houses the city’s historical memorabilia.