"Flee! A good run is better than a bad stand,'' graduates of the third Alpha Course at Westgate Prison heard yesterday.

This was the advice of guest speaker, Philadelphia Pennsylvania's Rev. Melvin Floyd before he gave certificates of completion to 22 participants in the non-denominational religious studies course.

The course was introduced to the prison system by Rev. Michael Davis of St.

Anne's Church, Southampton, to give inmates an understanding of the basic concepts of Christianity.

"We put out basic questions and they work it out themselves,'' Rev. Davis explained. "We don't answer the questions, the men do it themselves. It's a great course as it goes across the denominations.'' He added that the class also included atheists, Moslems, Rastafarians, and people from a variety of denominations.

One graduate, who had perfect attendance for the 15-week course, said it had given him a "broader outlook''.

"I've had to check for the Father (learn about God) and take care of my spiritual well being,'' he said. "The class is a great inspiration to us all.

A lot of inmates want to know the Father.'' Another inmate, who was taking the course for the second time, said the non-denominational basis of the course helped all to understand the Bible.

"It's open to all religions,'' he said. "I feel that's the best part, as everyone can give their opinion about religion.'' "Well it's given me second thoughts about the way I've lived my life,'' another two-time member of the class added. "We talk about life and the things we have been through. Always with the Bible though.'' Rev. Davis said the course, whether conducted in a church or in a prison, always started with a meal followed by a video presentation then discussion.

"I don't want to shoot my mouth off, but time will tell to see how it's working,'' he added. "Thirteen had perfect attendance. Nine more got certificates for attendance out of the average of 30 who attended the course.'' Rev. Davis said although some make changes in their lives quickly, others have taken the course all four times.

"They come over and over again and then it just clicks for them,'' he said.

For Rev. Floyd, his sermon in Westgate's Chapel about wisdom and making good choices in life was nothing new.

The pastor at Agape Christian Chapel in Philadelphia -- and a former policeman -- said he had a prison ministry for more than 20 years. "I used to meet with a group of lifers,'' he said. "I ministered to them and talked to them in the hope that one day they would get out.'' "Yes that's the point of all this,'' Rev. Davis interjected, "The point is to get out and stay out!'' "It is the same all over the world. The same message,'' Rev. Floyd added.

He told inmates that getting understanding and wisdom was the most important thing for them to get in their lives. "It's right there in Proverbs 3:14 `For it is better than getting silver and fine gold','' he said. "That's not what we learn in the streets is it?'' He also told the more than 40 inmates they would have to note their friends on the outside had never visited them.

"But the people who love you do,'' he added. "Where are your homies now. You have been blessed to be in Westgate. In the streets of Bermuda you don't look as good (healthy) as you do now.''