The father of an innocent woman maimed in a gang shooting believes the culprits should work in prison to repay their victims and Legal Aid bills.Leo Kuchler would like programmes to “concentrate the mind and spirit” of convicts such as Sanchey Grant and Jahmel Blakeney, who nearly killed his daughter Renee.Ms Kuchler, 26, was leaving a movie at Southside cinema in November 2009 when Parkside member Grant opened fire on her boyfriend Shaki Minors, a member of 42, spraying her with bullets in the process.Grant, 20, was convicted at Supreme Court earlier this month along with Blakeney, 30, who masterminded the shooting. Both men were jailed for 30 years last week, and must serve at least half before they may can apply for parole.The hearing was told Ms Kuchler continues to suffer physical and mental scars from the shooting, still has a bullet lodged in her body and walks with a cane.Mr Kuchler, 59, did not wish to discuss his daughter’s ordeal, at her request, as “she wishes to put that part of her life behind her as soon as possible”. However, he said: “As Renee’s father I count daily the blessing of her being alive, but give daily thought to the parents whose sons ended up imprisoned. What a hurtsome waste of life.”While he approves the sentence meted out by Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves, he is concerned that Grant and Blakeney will “experience a better life in jail without worries” than they would outside. He believes that the entire prison population should be given jobs to do, to repay their legal bills and victims.“When an accused stands trial he/she shall have a QC or appointed lawyer represent them, paid in full by the state until when found innocent they walk free without a penny to pay,” suggested Mr Kuchler.“When found guilty they will be sentenced, jailed and undergo a work and employment scheme that is productive and earning to pay off the cost of the courts and defence, for the very reason [that] they knew from the beginning that they are guilty and defrauded the public.”He further suggested: “Out of prisoners’ earnings, full reparation and compensation shall be paid for innocent victims, which amount shall be set by the judge as part of the sentencing.”His daughter has applied for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. However, payouts have dropped in recent years as Government struggles to cope with the number of people injured in shootings, and the judge noted Ms Kuchler is unlikely to get much compensation.Premier Paula Cox mooted the idea of prisoners paying some of their earnings towards their upkeep and a victim compensation scheme in November 2010, but no such law has come before Parliament as yet.In addition to those ideas, Mr Kuchler also believes a change in the prison environment is needed, with “activity plans” set up to concentrate the mind and spirit.“Minimise physical exercise, social activities and visitation; jail is not a fitness camp to tone the muscles and strengthen ill minds. [Those] jailed don’t have to worry [about paying] the electricity bill, health insurance, the next meal,” he said.“They have to be rehabilitated and that can only be done when we provide for them to work and to be educated and I strongly believe that your mind needs a reset, and therefore psychologists [are needed.] They do have them, but you don’t have the appropriate physical setting where someone goes to work and sits down to his meal because he’s tired from work. He has a different mindset than someone who just comes out of the gym and has his muscles toned.”Meanwhile, he also backs the police in making full use of their controversial stop and search powers under section 315F of the Criminal Code, which were introduced in 2005 and amended last year. The powers allow any police officer in uniform to stop and search any person or vehicle for offensive weapons in areas identified as hotspots for violent crime.The Centre for Justice expressed concern last month that the powers are unconstitutional. However, Mr Kuchler said: “I not only wish, but demand that nothing less than the powers necessary are given to the Bermuda police force when deemed and required, to stop and search any politician, citizen or foreigner.“It is the duty of police to find the guns before they are used, as part of crime prevention. What is so difficult to understand, or get into your heads that liberty begins with the ordinary citizen who behaves in an orderly manner and lives according to the laws of the land?“There is a price we have to pay for that civil right to be living in a safe society, and certainly stop and search is not an infraction on my liberty.”l See Mr Kuchler’s Letter to the Editor on page 4.