Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands it is:
All three of these top Civil Servants, haveput in a considerable amount of years in Government.
There is still no official confirmation,however, there is still speculation that the present Chief Secretary,Mr. James Ryan may be retiring this year and his post will haveto be filled.
During 1999, there was discussion that theChief Immigration Officer, Mr. O. C. Connor may be moved to Mr.Donovan Ebanks' post, Mr. Ebanks would then be appointed ChiefSecretary, and a career administrator will be brought in fromEngland to take over the post of Chief Immigration Officer.
It is known that in some Elected Members'circle, that such a move may not be welcome, as Mr. Connor hasbeen the first Caymanian to hold the powerful Immigration post,and that the Legislators would prefer that there is Caymaniansuccession for this job.
News Stories for | Sunday, 23 April, 2000 | 4:25 PM
Inmates setFire, Thrash andBreakout ofDorms at H. M. Northward Prison
Police, FireServices and Authorities surround the entire Compound - 'RiotReady'
Last Friday morning was not so good at HerMajesty's Prison at Northward.
It is reported that there was a full majordisturbance beginning from just past midnight when both the "A"and "B" dormitories which house some 50-odd prisoners,set fire to the dormitories, destroyed fixtures, smashed windowsand broke out into the prison yard, leaving their holding areas"uninhabitable."
It was not until about 5:00 AM when theconfrontation came under control - supported by the presence ofa full contingent of Law and Fire Officers, in full riot gear- when the riotous prisoners were moved to the new 24-unit cellblockwhich is completed, but was still awaiting approval for occupancyfrom the Planning Department which issues Certificates of Occupancy(CO).
The Acting Prison Director, Mr. NicholasBrooke, perhaps with or without some form of dispensation fromthose in charge of the Planning Authority - made a decision tolock-up the prisoners on the loose in the compound, in the new24-unit block, which is attached to Cellblock Four.
This recent disturbance - fueled by theset fire - culminated a week of other disturbances at the Prison.It was reported that prisoners being held in Cellblock 2, helda 'peaceful protest' and refused to go back into their cells earlierin the week. There was also a stabbing reported in the same weekbetween two cousins being held as prisoners in a disagreementthey were having over food.
The disturbance last Friday morning wasof serious magnitude, as it necessitated the Commissioner of Policeand negotiators getting involved - again - in bringing order tothe prison.
It has been suggested that the Prison Officersat Northward do not have the 'teeth' and required training todeal with these disturbances which keep occurring at the Prison.It appears that they must now act with restraint and are not allowedto use 'extreme force' in dealing with life threatening matters- the prisoners' and their own.
Fortunately - this time - prisoners beingheld in other cellblocks did not get involved as they did lastSeptember, when there was a full blown riot.
Besides their demands for longer hours oftelevision viewing, it is understood that there may be a growingsense of racial overtones among some of the prisoners - owingto the increase of British Officers having to interact with theinmates as line Officers.
It is understood that the cellblocks whichhave suffered damage - again - after undergoing repairs from thelast disturbance, are now empty and will have to be refurbished- again. Some of the prisoners from these dormitories have alsobeen transferred to the recently repaired cells which held theyounger prisoners.
The dormitories which suffered damage inthis latest upheaval, do not have holding cells. Instead, thereis an open floor plan - dormitory-style with bunk beds. Thereis therefore no method of containing prisoners in individual cells,which is the arrangement with the rest of the compound.
In his last report following the riot lastSeptember, British prison advisor - Sir Stephen Tumin recommendedthat a brand new prison should be built, and that the presentcompound be turned into a minimum security facility.
Sir Stephen may be right. However, addedto this, it seems that there should be a far more comprehensiveplan concerning the prison operations - including rehabilitationfor prisoners.
The millions of dollars which have beenpoured into the prison since the riot in September, could proveto be one big expensive band-aid, if something is not done tototally revamp the entire prison system.
Right now many officers - particularly thosewho must be exposed to danger - without meaningful back-up whenthey are they are conducting the counting of inmates in the dormitories,have every right to fear for their lives. A new facility couldsave lives.
There has also been some discussion thatmore prisoners should be sent to England. This just does not makesense. Northward Prison should be condemned and a new one shouldbe built.
Meanwhile, from inquiries made, it has beenreported that since the major disturbance of last September, therehas not been any visits to the prison by Elected Members of theLegislative Assembly.
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New from Earlier Update... | Saturday, 22 April, 2000| 7:10 PM
The present Acting Director will be headingback to England, and the new appointee is expected to arrive inCayman prior to his departure, for the transition, which couldtake place in four to six weeks.
It is interesting to note that all of therecently recruited appointments in connection with Law Enforcement- Police and Prison Officers - are from one geographical area... the UK. This is obviously conflicting with Government's dictatesto the public at large - admonishing the private sector employersto seek employees from areas other than Jamaica.
This must be observed as another exampleof not playing on a level playing field when it comes to hiringnon-Caymanians to work in the Cayman Islands. The Administrationhas the upper hand and uses it to their advantage.
Few will forget that four decades ago, manyof Cayman's Law Enforcement Officers were brought in from Barbadosand Belize. Some of the most advanced, long-term serving Officersin the RCIP are from these areas.
Will Caymaniansbe considered for topvacant postsin Tourism?
It will also be interesting to see who willbe hired to two top vacant posts in the Department of Tourism- one for the office in Grand Cayman ... and the other for theRegional Office in Miami.
In both instances, there are well qualifiedCaymanians living here ... and in Miami ... who can fill theseposts if given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.Certainly, any new applicants for these posts may have to go througha probationary period. Well, why can't a Caymanian be allowedthe same grace period?
It goes without saying that politics shouldbe put aside, and non-partisan decisions should be made when itcomes to succession of Caymanians to positions which will allowthem to promote our products.
Sensibly, a well-qualified Caymanian, Mrs.Jennifer Dilbert - a former Banking Inspector and CEO for a largeBanking operation has been appointed to take over the post ofthe Cayman Islands Representative in the UK, from Mr. Thomas Russell,a former Governor of these Islands.
The recent figures released that there areonly two Caymanians out of a total of 53 who are working for theDepartment of Tourism in the country's overseas offices. Thisis not something to be proud of. There are Caymanians out there... in many countries overseas who can sell the Cayman Islandsfar better than individuals who do not even know how to pronounce"conch".
Where Oh Wherehas the Census Gone?
There is mounting concern that this importantcalculation of just how many people make up the population ofthe Cayman Islands today, is being put on the back burner -- becausethe figures may confirm by a significant margin that 'Caymanians'- as defined by the Government - are in the minority.
There is also the possibility that theremay be an order being handed down - either directly from MotherEngland or through the Governor-in-Council (ExCo) that non-Caymanianswho have been living and working here for a considerable periodwill be entitled to some form of naturalization - with the rightto work.
Although this 'new block' of votes, alongwith the increased amount of younger electors could be a formidablegroup which will make a difference -- the fact that the electionroll is nearing closure for adding names will not make a differencein this up-coming election, 8 November - just six months away.
It has also been said that the reason whythere is continuing disenfranchisement of many who are directdescendants, even some who were born here, the day will come whenCaymanians who were not born in the Cayman Islands could be sittingin the House of Assembly.
The Constitution of the United States dictatesthat only persons who were born on US soil could be consideredfor President. However, the powerful Cabinet post of Secretaryof State has in recent years have been held by naturalized UScitizens - Henry Kissinger, who was born in Germany, served underPresident Richard Nixon and current Secretary, Madeleine Albright,born in Czechoslovakia now serves President Bill Clinton.
It is known, however, that many 'new Caymanians'do not really aspire to be elected officials. They just want tocontinue living ... and contributing ... to the country of theiradoption.
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