It’s not always easy to give to a charity that supports the prisoner population, but ex-convict Nathan Richardson is urging the public to give Prison Fellowship Bermuda a second look.Mr Richardson was 23-years-old when he pleaded guilty to importing more than $300,000 worth of drugs in 2000.He served six years behind bars. He said he left prison in 2006 determined to get his life back on track thanks to family support, and assistance from PFB.The charity provides weekly non-denominational services in the Island’s prison systems and also offers an Angel Tree programme each holiday season with the help of its partner churches. Church members donate gifts and inmates can nominate their children to take part; a similar scheme takes place during the back-to-school season to get children needed supplies.PFB will be hosting an Island-wide tag day on Wednesday to get donations for its programmes. Mr Richardson said it’s important for people to invest in the charity.“I know that as victims [of crime] and with so much crime in Bermuda and how people get disrespect from young people that it seems awkward for them to support prisoners in Bermuda.“But [the money is] not for the inmates, it’s for the children who are the victims and need support — the inmates just need prayer, prayer and more prayer.”Mr Richardson is now 36 and planning to pursue a college degree in social work in the UK. He is also working to be a good father to 16-year-old son Najari, so the teenager is less likely to go choose the same path he did.Mr Richardson said he grew up in a religious family, but fell into crime because of greed and laziness.“I was after that quick success, I would say that’s where I went wrong.“I was in school in Atlanta at the time and capable of going on to get my education and creating an honest living myself, but I decided I was going to try and take a short cut.“When you are young you make mistakes. I can’t use it as an excuse, but I am sure it played a part — my father not being a part of my life. When you are not getting the love at home, you get it on the street.”Mr Richardson said he takes responsibility for his part in the crime, which he now believes “wasn’t worth it”. His relationship with his son, who was five at the time of his incarceration, was damaged — and his actions devastated his family as well.But he said he went into prison with the mindset of “getting my life back on track” and “paying my debt to society”.The former inmate said he initially learned about PFB through the charity’s Tuesday visits to Westgate.“It used to be a nice release because at that time we were locked up for 23 hours a day. A lot of times people would [sit with them] just to get out of their cell.“But [the volunteers] came with a real message and let us know the importance of our families we left behind, the damage we had done to victims and how, as young men, we had to get our lives back on track. They preached the word of God as well.”He said he was particularly impressed with the support the organisation gave to children around the holidays.“It’s something I felt was very touching.“But it wasn’t just the gift, that was something extra. I liked that it was just a good service and [I had] a good feeling and good fellowship.”Mr Richardson said there are some people known as ‘jail Christians’ who always seem to find the Lord when they are in jail, but drop their spirituality at the gates when they are released from prison.He said people have to make a decision to change their lives. “God helps you along the way and keeps you positive.”“I am not no perfect human being or Christian, but I just try to do good. My attitude has changed and through perseverance, belief and faith, my life has changed and it’s continued to change for the good.”He said his son was one of his biggest motivational factors for bettering his life. “But I also did it for myself. I knew I couldn’t do anything for anyone else without helping myself first.”Mr Richardson said he moved to England to be a better dad to his son and rebuild the relationship.“We were very close when I went to prison, but it affected him a lot when I went to prison and I can’t dispute that at all. He needed me in his life and if I didn’t step up to the bat who knows what would have happened.”PFB was first chartered in 1981 after Government MP Neletha Butterfield and businessman Jack Harris saw the need in the Island’s prison systems.Organisers will fundraise for the back-to-school programme in July and August. For more information e-mail prisonfellowship@northrock.bm or phone 295-9462.Useful website: www.pfb.bm/