Prisoners will be putting on a public play for the first time in 20 years over the Father's Day weekend.

Prison Commissioner Edward Lamb said the play, called 'Where Are You Dad?', will bring the prison to the public and help the young men and women on their journey to redemption. It will be held at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium.

Community activist Gina Spence Farmer has been working with four young men and two women currently incarcerated at the Co-Educational Corrections Facility to produce the play which explores some of Bermuda's social issues, including absent fathers.

She said: "The story follows the fractured journey of a young boy on the road to manhood, but with no men to guide him as a role model, who will teach him? Who will lead him? Who will love and protect him? Where will he turn for the answers he desperately craves?

"It is a play that asks the question, 'Where are you Dad?' and shows the real impact of the absence of a dad in a child's life. It shows the power of forgiveness and encourages fathers to take their rightful place in the lives of their children and families."

South African Lillian Ramphele wrote the play. In 2006 the mother-of-two was sentenced to 12 years in jail for importing $2 million of heroin. Through the help of the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Mrs. Ramphele found religion before her incarceration and has been a positive role model behind bars. "She feels really honoured to be a part of this," Mrs. Spence Farmer said.

Mr. Lamb said: "I think it gives them a sense of purpose and shows them they can do something constructive, not just the actions that brought them to the Co-Ed. It shows them they can be whatever they want to be. It improves their self-worth.

"Three of the young men in the play received their General Education Diploma while here, something they may not have done if they were not here. The other hasn't completed it yet because he has not been with us very long. I believe the purpose of incarceration is redemption and reintegration, and this is an opportunity to do that.

"These young men and women are a part of our village and they need to be reintegrated into our village. This is a chance for them to do something, they do not have to be part of the madness going on in the community."

In addition to the six prisoners taking part in the play four other actors from Gina Spence Productions will also take part. Mr. Lamb assured the public that there would be no safety risks at the plays, which take part on June 19 at 7.30 p.m. and June 20 at 4 p.m.

Patron tickets cost $50 while adults pay $20 and children under 16 pay $10.

They can be purchased at Music Box, the Heritage Bookstore and Prison Headquarters on Happy Valley Road.

For more information call 295-4975.