PHILIPSBURG--The Prison System’s Supervisory Committee bade farewell to long-time member Engelina Dorothea Hoogenboezem-Brinker during a festive, extraordinary meeting at the Courthouse’s Flamboyant Room on Tuesday afternoon.
Installed by the Minister of Justice, the Committee meets once per month with the Director of the Pointe Blanche Prison, and also functions as the Complaints Committee for detainees who disagree with disciplinary measures taken against them.
Hoogenboezem is a former Judge and has been a member of the Supervisory Committee “since time immemorial,” it was said Tuesday.
Committee Chairman and Judge Mauritsz de Kort cautiously stated Hoogenboezem had been a member of the Committee for more than 20 years, but the outgoing member said it was more than likely “at least” 30 years.
As Hoogenboezem’s appointment expires on October 10, she will be honourably discharged from that date. Her seat in the Supervisory Committee will be taken up by attorney-at-law Christian de Jong of Bergman, Zwanikken, Snow, Essed (BZSE) law office.
For the first time lawyers will now be represented in the Supervisory Committee as well. The Prosecutor’s Office already has a seat in the Committee through its representative Prosecutor Ludwina Sprok-Hodge.
Hoogenboezem was appointed Member in the Order of Oranje Nassau on the occasion of King’s Day 2015. Not only has she been a judge for many years, she also has a “good heart, and a transparent hand,” as De Kort put it. “The Committee cannot find the words to thank you,” the Chairman said.
Minister of Justice Edson Kirindongo also thanked the outgoing Committee member and wished her all the best. The Minister handed her a gold pin for her many years of service as a civil servant.
Hoogenboezem said she regrets having to leave the Committee. “Cooperation with the other members has always been very pleasant, especially Acting Judge Wilfred Manning and Hodge I know inside out. It is wonderful being feted like this. I never expected this and I really appreciate the Minister of Justice for coming,” Hoogenboezem said in her words of thanks.
