Pastor convicted of child cruelty gets out of prison

<p>A minister is free after serving two years in prison for having children at his church whipped with belts.</p><p>The Rev. Arthur Allen Jr. was released Wednesday from Central State Prison in Macon, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Peggy Chapman said.</p><p>Allen's wife, Trina, picked up the minister from the medium security prison, Chapman said.</p><p>Allen, 73, has been in the prison since 2003 on child cruelty and aggravated assault charges stemming from activities at the House of Prayer church in northwest Atlanta.</p><p>He was accused of ordering church members to discipline children with whips and belts when they misbehaved. The spankings left welts on two boys.</p><p>He served a 90-day jail sentence but refused to comply with the condition of his 10-year probation that children in his congregation could only be hand spanked at home by their parents.</p><p>Allen skipped a probation revocation hearing and was on the run for five months before his capture in Cobb County two years ago.</p><p>Four other church members also were convicted three years ago in connection with the beatings of children at the church and served jail time.</p><p>Wearing jeans and a casual shirt, Allen gathered with his small congregation Wednesday afternoon at the church. He declined to comment on his release.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9cc4)</p>