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Helping inmates get on track

 
Published June 27, 1995|Updated Oct. 4, 2005

(ran TP)

William Canals is a man who believes in the good in all people. While many of us are busy complaining about crime problems in our community, the inefficiency of our judicial system and the high costs of our prisons, Bill Canals is busy doing something to deal with the problem.

He says he thinks a key to reducing crime is to help prevent those who have served time in prison from returning to a life of crime after release. So, for the past 16 years as a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteer, he has been sharing his skills and knowledge with inmates at the Hillsborough Correctional Institute, a minimum-security prison in southeast Hillsborough County.

Bill reflects on his volunteer work with the Prison Fellowship Ministries: "Seeing so many of our youth being led into a life of crime impressed upon me to try and do something to share the Christian way of life with them."

Every week you can see him at Hillsborough Correctional Institute, teaching, counseling and being a friend and supporter to inmates who have made mistakes and are suffering the consequences , but who are committed to emerging from the experience stronger and capable of succeeding in society.

Twenty-three years in the U.S. Navy _ including service in World War II and the Korean War _ and 36 years marketing in the insurance industry helped shape Bill Canals' perception of the world and gave him a a great understanding of organizations. Putting his knowledge to use in his volunteer work, Bill helped organize Tampa Helpline, a crisis phone line, and served on the board of directors of Tampa Crossroads, a halfway house for ex-offenders.

His favorite volunteer project, which he established in 1983 and is still actively involved in, is Prison Fellowship Ministries' "Project Angel Tree." Last year, this program provided Christmas gifts for 2,145 children of inmates living in Hillsborough County.

Larry Johnson is director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in Hillsborough County. You can write him c/o Seniority, the Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

TO VOLUNTEER:

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: 272-5031

Volunteer Center of Hillsborough: 274-0909

HRS Volunteer Services: 871-7097