A churchman says Government has responded positively to his proposal for a gang rehabilitation programme.Rev Michael Barclay, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, wants to use camp facilities to reform gangsters, and yesterday pitched his idea to Justice Minister and Attorney General Michael Scott.“Mr Scott’s response was positive, but he wants to see proof that these guys would actually go,” said Mr Barclay, an associate minister at St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church.“I know it will succeed because these gang members are getting tired of never knowing when they’re going to get shot.”Mr Barclay said he gave up his job five weeks ago with Barritt and Sons, and has been using his time to speak with gang members around the Island.A former police chaplain in the US, he said: “I’m used to these guys, and they can see that I’m sincere. Whenever I see gang members, I stop and talk to them. I love these guys and I believe they can be saved.”His idea is for a three-month camp on Darrell’s Island or Paget Island.“I can get a large number of elderly or retired tradesmen such as masons, carpenters and plumbers involved to teach them some basic skills.“They will clean and look after the facilities themselves. The spiritual side, teaching them to love people, is something I can give with the help of my Christian friends.“This programme will continue for three months at a time, and then we’ll send them back out into the community and take on more. Paget Island can take 70 to 80 guys at once.”So far, he said he has about 20 men willing to go into the programme voluntarily.Mr Barclay believes his camp could prove a successful alternative to incarceration.“Gang members would take this instead of prison,” he said. “It wouldn’t be an easy break. This would be extremely hard work with a lot of studying, and if they quit they can go and finish their prison term.”The concept arose in part from an anti-violence gathering at St Paul Centennial Hall on May 2, attended by members of different churches across Bermuda.Mr Barclay served as a police chaplain in the US from 1976 to 1980, during which time he was a deputy sheriff in Fulton County, Atlanta. He volunteered as an outreach worker in Toronto from 1983 to 1986.“I walk the streets anywhere, and I’ve never been shot at,” he said. “I used to get stopped by the police in Chicago when I went through bad neighbourhoods on the East Side to talk to people.“A lot of the guys in gangs here in Bermuda know me. They’re tired of the fighting. A lot of them are scared to leave their own territories.”Mr Barclay hopes to visit Westgate to discuss his proposals with incarcerated gang members.He said he plans to return to Government with proof of support from gang members.“We don’t need a lot of financial support,” he said. “It’s the use of a facility that’s important. Paget Island is fully equipped with its own kitchen.“Right now it’s used for recreational camping. It could be used to ease some of this action we’re seeing in Bermuda.”Mr Scott was yesterday unavailable for comment.