By Josh Poltilove
Naples Daily News
ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — Reggie D’Antuono spoke candidly and eloquently, gesticulating and maintaining eye contact.
For seven minutes, he talked about the need to properly raise and protect adolescent males. He said his life’s goal is to stop people from victimizing themselves and others.
The 41-year-old New Port Richey native has some experience in the matter. He’s an inmate at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution.
Since June, a Toastmasters class at the state prison has offered inmates a chance to become better public speakers.
“It’s adding to my listening skills, it’s improving my speaking skills and it’s improving me as an individual,” said D’Antuono, convicted of robbery charges in 2005.
Twice a month, roughly 20 inmates learn vocabulary, read prepared speeches and answer questions sprung on them. Class goals include making inmates better prepared for job or parole interviews.
When Gus Mazorra came to the 650-inmate, all-male prison as warden about a year ago, he saw a lot of older inmates in need of skills to transition into society.
The average age of the facility’s inmates is 49 -- a dozen years older than the average inmate in Florida prisons.
Mazorra set up programs such as Toastmasters and a drama club to help with inmate confidence.
The nonprofit Toastmasters organization has thousands of clubs worldwide and offers members a chance to improve their communication skills.
James Randolph, a 55-year-old information technology consultant, volunteered to lead the prison’s class. The Brandon resident is a master speaker for Toastmasters.
“One of the key things about re-entry is how well are you able to present yourself,” he said of prisoners returning to society. “It’s very key that you’re able to communicate.”
At a recent class, some inmates preached, told short stories or read poetry. One suggested getting work published would prove his potential as a job candidate.
Larry “Rocky” Sutton, 62, of North Carolina, reminded his audience that when speaking publicly they should avoid dressing sloppily or taking pregnant pauses.
“You’ve got to be prepared,” he said. “You’ve got to rehearse this thing. You’ve got to practice it. You’ve got to know your audience. You’ve got to own your audience.”
Sutton was sentenced in 1980 to life in prison for first-degree murder. He said he wants to better himself and hopes the skills he gains will help him with parole.
Nehemiah Parsons, 33, of Brooklyn, N.Y., spoke about staying out of prison next time around. He said education is the key.
Parsons, who has been serving time for robbery since 2003, said Toastmasters has taught him the art of listening to others.
“There are some who think we should be eating bread and water, no classes,” he said. “But some of us are getting back out. You can’t turn a blind eye toward that. We’re going back into the communities we left or into new communities.”
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