Maybe he told them? He did after all admit he did it.
You need to get to the understanding why Dr. Vincent Tabak's plea was made and If indeed he made it voluntarily...
He apparently gave a confession to a prison Chaplain Peter Brotherton.
Peter Brotherton, a voluntary Salvation Army chaplain at Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire said the Dutchman had unburdened himself on February 8 this year.
He said Tabak had requested a meeting, informing him: “I have something to tell you that will shock you.”
Giving evidence at Bristol Crown Court, Mr Brotherton said: “I said ‘you tell me and we will see’, or words to that effect.
“He said ‘I am going to change my plea to guilty’. He said it was to do with the crime he had committed.
“I said, ‘is this concerning the young lady from Bristol?’, he said ‘yes’.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8834133/Vincent-Tabak-confessed-Joanna-Yeates-killing-in-emotional-meeting-with-prison-chaplain.htmlAs A VOLUNTARY CHAPLAIN ..Chaplain Brotherton would have to satisfy the Free Church..
Formal endorsement from the candidate’s own denomination will be required via the Free Churches Faith Advisor.
http://www.freechurches.org.uk/Groups/256814/Free_Churches/Activities/Prison_Chaplaincy/Eligibility/Eligibility.aspxExpected Formal Qualifications (as required for HMPS Contracted Posts)
Band 5 Ordained.
Free Church Chaplains (ordained) will have completed some period of post-ordination consolidation (normally at least 2 years post ordination/ training). They will have shown to the National Leadership of their denomination that they can effectively practice and fulfil the skills and competencies required of a Faith leader. Formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study and Professional Recognition by Denomination generally representing at least 3 years of study, normally to Degree standard.
Band 5 Non-Ordained
Free Church Chaplains (non-ordained) are trained Faith practitioners in their own communities. They have demonstrated consistently to a range of people (academic / pastoral / practical) that they have effective communication and relational skills in order to have achieved this level of accreditation. Formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study generally representing at least three years of Part Time study, normally to Diploma standard.
Band 7 – Managing Chaplain
Must be suitably qualified and have a formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study and be experienced such that the job holder will have received formal endorsements (where relevant) from the faith community to which they belong.
Chaplain Brotherton would have had to have the endorsement of the free church??
Did HE?????
And they would be whom Chaplain Brotherton returned to for advise as to whether to divulge a prisoners confession....
Again... DID HE??
The chaplain told the court he then advised him to contact his legal team and inform them of the decision and offered to pray with him.
While Mr Brotherton accepted he had told Tabak the conversation would be in confidence, he decided to tell his superiors because he did not regard it as a religious confession...
Was this on another visit or the same visit... It read to me like the same visit.....
But This comment suggests.... That the Chaplain was going to inform the POLICE not THE FREE CHURCH.....
Because why advise DR Vincent Tabak on getting his LAWYER.... if he did NOT know what THE ADVICE WOULD BE!!!
The Advice would probably be from the FREE CHURCH and to wait and see if called as a witness......
But it appears that the Chaplain had decided immediateley that he was going to reveal his confess, because Dr Vincent Tabak answered angrily.....
Vincent Tabak was on suicide watch in prison when he is said to have told the Salvation Army’s Peter Brotherton: “I have got something to tell you that is going to shock you.”
Tabak then reacted angrily as Mr Brotherton told him he would not be able to keep the admission secret, the chaplain said.
Detectives questioned the 33-year-old Dutch engineer for three days after arresting him on 20 January. He was said to have constantly replied “no comment”, before he was charged with murdering Miss Yeates, 25.
But Tabak, who had been under 24-hour supervision at Long Lartin prison, was said to have told Mr Brotherton of his plan to “plead guilty” on 8 February. The chaplain had shaken hands with Tabak before he made the confession.
Mr Brotherton, who has been visiting prisoners since 1975, said “there was a little bit of anger” in Tabak’s voice after the chaplain said he would have to pass on the information.
(MUST BE A QUALIFIED CHAPLAIN)
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/joanna_s_killer_confessed_to_jail_chaplain_murder_trial_jury_is_told_1_1917420Any information divulged by a PRISONER is classified as a confession, he is after all trusting this man to be there to guide him...
What qualifies as a confession to a Chaplain?????? A vulnerable Prisoner would see a Chapalin as a SAFE PLACE...
Did Chaplain Brotherton tell Dr Vincent Tabak he could divulge (NON) confessions?? Akin to reading him his rights!!!!
Did the Chaplain tell Dr Vincent Tabak of his rights???
Because.... Prison Chaplains are perceived as neutral
If Prison Chaplain are allowed to divulge the contents of a confessional, then it would be only fair in law that the prisoner have some kind of RIGHTS... And are informed of such right..When you are arrested you are given your caution rights:
You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
Which superiors is Chaplain Brotherton refering too?
1: The Police?? well in RELIGIOUS TERMS THEY ARE NOT HIS SUPERIORS
2: The Church:Free Churches Faith Advisor. Senior church leaders to whom the volunteer chaplain would be actively accountable.
http://www.freechurches.org.uk/Groups/256814/Free_Churches/Activities/Prison_Chaplaincy/Eligibility/Eligibility.aspx3: Prison Staff: The Chaplaincy and the prison staff are seperate...
I say this because, holding a chaplaincy inside a prison where they are potentially serverley disturbed, emotion prisoners who need the help and support of someone when they feel VULNERABLE.
Did Chaplain Brotherton feel it was so necessary for him to INFORM on Dr Vincent Tabak whilst he was in custody, surely he should have been called as a PROSECUTION witness and divulged the confession under oath...
By DIVULGING this information before a trail would put Chaplain Brotherton in a most compromising position..
HOW WOULD PRISON INMATES EVER TRUST A CHAPLAIN AGAIN!!!!!
That bring up various questions:
Dr Vincent Tabak was surely seen as a VULNERABLE inmate:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/332161/jo-suspect-on-suicide-watch-in-tough-jail/Yet according the
http://www.criminal-lawyer.org.uk/39-CLN-JAN-2012.pdf17.2.5.That the man he allegedly confessed to in Long Lartin prison in Worcester was a
chaplain, yet he was not called to give evidence in court; that the man said he knew that
Tabak was not a practising Christian and yet he went to see Dr Tabak several times to
develop a relationship with him.
So... Peter Brotherton did not give testamony at the Tail which Dr Vincent Tabak was subsequently found GUILTY.
Practicing Christian??? That's another question...
What are the rules regarding Prison Chaplains, within the Prison Service.???
There are guidelines for Prison Chaplaincy and reports are gathered in regards to their service.
REFERENCES FROM:http://www.stpadarns.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Todd-and-Tipton-2011-Report-on-Prison-Chaplaincy.pdf
Further, it appears that honouring and respecting the religious and cultural plurality of
the contemporary prison that the prison chaplains, and indeed other staff, goes hand
in hand with being often highly sensitive to any suggestion of their proselytizing:
So let not try to convert from one religion to another....
The chaplains of today are not here to judge or convert anyone, or anything like
that, they are just here to talk to and give prisoners support.’
(Prison Governor, 2010)
YET.... Chaplain Brotherton decided on his own that he could JUDGE Dr Vincent Tabak and divulege his supposed confession. If within the report it says they should NOT judge, then he had no reason to seek advice on any matter.Therefore he wasn't following protocol... which in any line of work is VITAL!!!!!
3.3. A Prison Chaplain - Prison Officer Continuum
‘The prison chaplain should never confuse their role with the role of the prison
officer…that would be a fatal mistake.’
(Prisoner, 2010)
Again... He has a role and one role only...
(1) the chaplain should not confuse and thus
contaminate their pastoral role with the disciplinary role of the officer and (2) the
chaplain’s role and standing as ‘chaplain’ accords them a ‘neutrality’, or
‘independence’ that is central to their ability to provide that pastoral care. This is a
multi-faceted aspect of the chaplain’s role, where neutrality/independence connects
with: chaplains not having the same perceived ‘authority’ as a prison officer; their
being able to relate in human way with prisoners; their being ‘in-betweeners’; their
having ‘time’ for people; and their being non-judgemental.
So they are looked upon by the prison population as UNBIAS..... Which gives prisoners a release from the pressure they may be under whilst incarcerated.. Not to mention the fact of VUNERABLE OR SUICDAL prisonser may respond in the knowledge a prison Chaplain would divulge there words...
To not have the role of the Prison Chaplain and the Prison staff seperated can be Dangerous:
‘We therefore have to use the role of the chaplain to kind of meet some of the
political concerns and pressures prisons are currently facing. We just have to be
careful how far we push as the lines that separate, that demarcate, those different
roles. Losing that neutrality and losing that kind of professional role as a religious
leader is a danger’
(Prison Governor, 2010)
Prisoners beliefs as regards the role of a chaplain:
‘ I find that when I am at my lowest ebb or when I have situations that I am not
comfortable speaking to the screws or cons about because of trust issues with cons
and insensitivity with officers; I always know that there is someone in the chapel I can
talk to.’
(Prisoner, 2010)
Dr Vincent Tabak was described as a non believer in faith, the prison chaplain cover all people:
Question: Even though Dr Vincent Tabak said that he was a NON BELIEVER, did Chaplain Brotherton discuss if DR Vincent Tabak had ever Practiced any religion prior to his NON BELIEVER STATUS..
The reason I say this and knowing many people who haven't followed there faiths, say they are no longer practicing.. and no matter how hard they try to leave it behind, it is always with them....
So if Dr Vincent Tabak was an atheist now... had he had Religous teaching before which may have lead him back to CHAPLAIN BROTHERTON as a confidant... And without CHAPLAIN BROTHERTON proving Dr Vincent Tabak never had any RELIGOUS teaching in his life, HOW WOULD IT BE CLEAR CUT THAT DR VINCENT TABAK WAS AN ATHEIST?????.
Infact DUTCH SCHOOLS DO TEACH RELIGION:
Religious education in Dutch schools.
Understanding the relevance of Dutch religious education makes it necessary to know something
about Dutch education in general.
Religious education in schools.
Each primary school has the subject teaching world religion and worldviews (teaching about
religion). The subject, introduced in 1985, aims to enhance tolerance in Dutch society.
Dr Vincent Tabak would have been of Primary age then, so It's more than likely he had some form of Religous Education
http://mmiweb.org.uk/eftreold/reeurope/netherlands_2013.pdf(D) The Professional Seeker – Prisoners loosely classifiable as agnostics who do
not ascribe to a particular faith, but attended a wide range of services and most
chaplaincy classes and events,(E) The opportunist – Prisoners who openly claim not to be interested in faith or
religion but value chaplaincy as a safe space; an escape from the wings.
‘ You don’t have to necessarily believe in God to come here; to enjoy a service. It is a
place for anyone to get away; enjoy some peace, sing a song or two and have a
cuppa and a digestive.’
‘The chaplain, you know, they help me escape prison. Not just this prison but my own
prison, you know? You can trust the chaplain, you know. Tell them stuff you wouldn’t
tell noone else.’
The Reason that Brotherton Claimed it was Ok for him to inform on Dr Vincent Tabak was because of his lack of faith....
So it would appear that Dr Vincent Tabak would be aware of the neutrality of the Chaplain Service Provided.
Or he wouldn't of decided to confess all to a CHAPLAIN...
Indeed it is quite common for non believer and believer to turn to a CHAPLAIN...
‘When you are in prison you are locked up for some long stretches of time and I think
it is a natural inclination for a man isolated from his world to look for God, to start to
strive for something beyond himself.’
(Prisoner, 2010)
These experiences were consistently reported as being largely facilitated by
incarceration itself, in that the individual has a lot of ‘time’, and in many ways often
feels forced into asking existential questions; in particular about their life and its
direction. In that sense the isolation inherent in incarceration seems to be closely
linked with a pull towards some kind of spiritual or religious reflection that eases the
pains of prison life.
The final commonly expressed value of prison chaplaincy was its provision of an
escape from the prison regime - in particular the prisoner’s cell and the wings. This
was expressed both in terms of the chaplaincy area as a safe, human or neutral
space, and the figure of the chaplain as a safe confidant, largely as a result of their
perceived neutrality, or independence.
3.6. Chaplaincy as Safe Place
‘the wings can be pretty ugly places and for many men, even those of no religious
belief, this place is a God send – if you will pardon the pun!’
(Prisoner, 2010)
Another distinctive aspect of the contribution made by prison chaplaincy, reported
across participant groups, was its provision of a relatively unique safe place within
the prison. Importantly the devout, returners, converts, professional seekers and the
eternally opportunistic all reported valuing the safety this place accorded. The safety
of the prison chaplaincy space seemed to be related to its perceived non-prison
status and the neutrality described earlier
So if Chaplain Brotherton lead to Dr Vincent Tabaks supposed confession and susequent signed confession of which.....
I'd love to see him sat with his lawyer having been explained to that the Chaplain would not likely divulge such sensitive material. And advising not to sign...
The written Confession was typed... And had not more information other than a plea of guilt... `to manslaughter, with no specific details regarding the action taken to come to this conclusion...
In my opinion I find that suspcious in it's self...
In a typed statement signed
by Vincent Tabak in September 2011, Tabak claimed that he didn't intend death or serious
It is alleged that Tabak made a confession2
to an unlicensed prison chaplain, who was not
called to give evidence, a most pertinent point.
http://www.criminal-lawyer.org.uk/39-CLN-JAN-2012.pdfHow can thsis be?????/
The Salvation Army comes under The Free Church group:http://www.freechurches.org.uk/Articles/385438/Free_Churches/Activities/Prison_Chaplaincy/Blog/Salvation_Army_Chaplains.aspx
Eligibility to work as a Prison Chaplain:
If you are from a Free Churches background and wish to work as a Chaplain in a prison in England and Wales then you need to be eligible to do so. This means that you must be a minister, either lay or ordained of a Free Church denomination which is either a member of the Free Churches Group, or Churches Together in England or Churches Together in Wales (eligible denominations listed here). You must have studied biblical or pastoral studies to a level acceptable to your group or denomination and be accredited as a minister by them.
So if in fact Chaplain Brotherton did not seek advice from the Free Church, who did he seek advice from as regards Dr Vincent Tabak??
And if his confession to the chaplain is null and void, then his supposed written confession is too, because it was gained under false pretences.... IN MY OPINION......
