seven months in 1974 for his part in the Watergate scandal urged local churches to be examples to the world.

Mr. Chuck Colson, the chairman of the board of Prison Fellowship International, spoke to a small Christian gathering at an afternoon tea at St.

Paul's Centennial Hall.

"We take for granted John 3.16,'' he said. "We preach it but we have become careful about what it really means. Modern man must come to terms with the forgiveness of Christ. It should give us a sense of real duty to share this because it is what has done for us.'' Mr. Colson, 61, who converted to Christianity when he was sent to prison, said he used to think he would find meaning in life through attaining power and prestige.

"I used to think that once I got my college degree I would find life's meaning. Then it was after I entered the Marines, then it was after I got my law degree. Once, I was sitting in the White House looking out onto the manicured lawn and I asked myself what it all means.'' Mr. Colson said he found meaning in prison.

After leaving prison Mr. Colson started the Prison Fellowship that today has expanded into 58 countries.

"Crime is caused by moral failures,'' he told The Royal Gazette . "Crime is morally rooted so there must be moral solutions. We must get to the criminal's heart and make them accountable and responsible instead of letting them sit in a prison cell. It is a myth that criminals are rehabilitated in prison. It's not a deterrent either. However, I still think that violent and dangerous criminals need to be in prison.'' Mr. Colson praised the Prison Fellowship programme run in Bermuda.

"They are going about it the right way. They have a strong Board of directors who are interested in working with the criminals and their families.'' Bermuda Prison Fellowship Coordinator Mr. Glenn Caines said that last year more than 150 children who have a parent serving time in prison were given gifts last Christmas.

"A local exempt company worked along with us last year to provide 175 hot meals on Court Street during Christmas and they have committed to doing it again this year.'' Mr. Caines said that the principle of restorative justice aims to bring prisoners back to the place they once were.

"We used to be a more caring and involved society. We are alienated by class and crime. This affects both the prisoner and the victim so both parties need to reconciled. The Prison Fellowship brings them together sharing information, ideas and the commitment.

"We aim to bring the church into the prison for one on one individual relational evangelism.'' A 31-year-old inmate said he was a bit apprehensive at first about joining the Prison Fellowship.

"I was introduced to Glenn two years ago,'' he said."It has helped me to get closer to God and respect myself. We have meetings every week and work out problems.

"If it wasn't for the Prison Fellowship I would be hanging around with the negative guys. I would like to get involved with the outreach programme once I leave prison.''