Prisoners will try to teach the community a lesson in forgiveness this month.

They will take to the stage in a play, entitled "The Forgiving Father'', which encourages people to let bygones be bygones.

The Christian Ministry, Prison Fellowship of Bermuda, will host the play which will feature inmates of the Prison Farm.

The play uses the parable of the Prodigal Son as the background for modern day living.

According to the chairman of the Prison Fellowship Jack Harris the purpose of the play is to send a clear message to the families of the inmates and the community.

"It is to understand the Biblical principal of forgiveness of those released prisoners who have paid their debt to society and are returning back to the community with a changed heart,'' Mr. Harris explained.

The play will also coincide with the International Week of Prayer, April 13-20, when 77 countries around the world will be praying for a change of heart for inmates and their families. They will also be praying for chaplains, prison officers, legislatures, Police officers and Prison Fellowship volunteers.

The play, written by Prison Farm inmates, will be held on April 16 and 17 at the old St. George's Secondary School, beginning at 7.30 p.m.

The tickets will be on sale at the Visitors Service Bureau at Hamilton and St.

George's and the St. George's Community Centre from April 7 to 12 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mr. Harris said ticket sales were limited to 250 for each performance and the price was set at $5 each in a bid to encourage the community to support the prisoner's efforts for self improvement.

For more information contact Joy Furbert at 293-2390 or Wendy Minott at 238-2678.