While widely touted as positive step toward community reentry for newly released offenders, there has been little research conducted on the actual effectiveness of faith-based reentry programs. The author argues that while these programs have the potential to help inmates successfully reenter society, there are significant concerns about this type of programming that should be addressed before large amounts of resources are invested in them. One problem, for example, is how to define “faith-based” reentry programming as there seems to be a wide range of programming falling under the definition of “faith-based.” Another problem is the lack of empirical research on faith-based programming, which in only made more difficult because of the wide range of programming types billed as “faith-based” which makes comparisons among programs unreliable. Arguments for faith-based programming are presented and include the fact that many operate without tax dollars and many claim to reduce recidivism and improve post-release outcomes. Arguments against faith-based programs focus on constitutional concerns regarding governmental funding of religious entities, the fact that they may not be effective, and the question of whether they harm offenders by encouraging certain religious beliefs. Despite the potential problems introduced by the use of faith-based programming for ex-prisoners, more research on this type of programming is necessary because they offer a better-than-nothing alternative to prisoner community reentry during tough budgetary times. Table, references