Up-Front
Police Clear Chaplain
Mr. Peter van der Bol(at podium) celebrating the dedication of the Prison Chapel, May31, 1999
However, he may not return to prison
Chaplain of H. M. Northward Prison, Mr.Peter van der Bol, who was sent on leave almost five months agofor alleged prison irregularities, has been cleared of any criminalwrongdoing by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Thursfield,following an investigation.
Mr. van der Bol, an ordained minister who was appointed Chaplainfive years ago after many years of voluntary service, was senton paid leave on 17 May, by former Temporary Director of Prisons,Mr. Nicholas Brooke, who took charge of the institution followingthe prison riots last October.
Reports reaching Cayman Net News indicate that officers from theRoyal Cayman Islands Police (RCIP) interrogated Mr. van der Bolin an investigation referred to the department by Mr. Brooke.
Some six weeks ago, the Commissioner informed Mr. van der Bolthat the Legal Department had not recommended criminal chargesagainst him and that the matter was being sent back to the Directorof Prisons.
To date however, there has been no communication to him from thenew Director of Prisons, Mr. John Forster, who was appointed tothe post in June of this year.
"I am still awaiting a decision from the authorities as towhat is their next move," Mr. van der Bol told Cayman NetNews. "It has been a long five months."
Efforts by Cayman Net News to obtain information on the matterfrom prison and Government authorities proved futile up to presstime. Enquires made to Mr. Forster in a letter dated 12 Septemberwere met with the response that the file had just been receivedfrom RCIP and a statement would be made, after a report to government.No further reply was received and a subsequent enquiry made thisweek elicited a response from the director that he was still awaitingword from Government administration.
Meanwhile, the prison has remained without a chaplain since Mr.van der Bol's leave and is currently being served by occasionalvisits from spiritual leaders of the Cayman Islands MinistersAssociation.
Cayman Net News has learnt that the prison authorities are examiningthe possibility of appointing a temporary chaplain. It was notmade clear whether this would mean that Mr. van der Bol wouldnot be returned to his post.
However, Cayman Net News has learnt from a reliable source thata resident church leader, who is familiar with the prison ministry,and who has been in discussion with prison authorities about thepost, has been asked to assume the position of Temporary Chaplain."It is unlikely that Mr. van der Bol will be returned tothe prison," the source confirmed.
In an effort to confirm this information with the Government'sDepartment of Personnel, Cayman Net News spoke to Mrs. Jenny Manderson,Permanent Secretary for Personnel, who indicated that the department"could not comment on this matter at this time."
Meanwhile, sources have further indicated that the van der Bolshave been in touch with high level government officials in anattempt to resolve what has been a testing time for the family,and are awaiting word on Mr. van der Bol's fate.
Building the Northward Prisonchapel through the Bars
With inmate participation in Prison Fellowshipprogrammes at an all time high, PF Cayman Islands found that theresimply wasn't enough room to continue meeting in the prison dininghall. So PF began soliciting community donations to build a prisonchapel. A local builder volunteered to coordinate the participationof inmates who wanted to help with construction. When the buildingwas completed, PFI president Ron Nikkel and more than 200 inmatesand guests filled the chapel for a dedication service. In hisaddress, Ron observed that the event uniquely symbolized the bodyof Christ. "As I look around I see the living church - thechurch united through the bars. The church is united in JesusChrist despite all that separates us. Businessmen, politicians,housewives, chaplains, prisoners and prison officials - We arethe body of Christ!"
Courtesy of Prison
Fellowship Annual Report