Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger | A librarian for Joint Task Force Guantanamo browses through the detainee library...... read more read more
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By Nathaniel Moger
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Since its inception, Joint Task Force Guantanamo has been scrutinized over its perceived treatment of detained enemy combatants. The JTF Joint Detention Group, charged with the detention of enemy combatants from the Global War on Terror, pursues this mission with a commitment to the "safe and humane, care and welfare" of detainees, regardless of the tenor of outside criticism. Hence privileges and special programs, consistent with international standards, are made available to detainees based on their compliancy status.
Army Maj. Randy Remiker, operations officer for the JDG, oversees day-to-day activities in the facilities. Maintaining an environment where compliancy with camp rules is rewarded is paramount to keeping both guards and detainees safe and to maintaining good order and discipline. He sees special programs and detainee privileges to be effective tools in this effort.
"We have a philosophy of more is better," said Remiker. "The more they're reading and learning, the less trouble there will be. If there is something to do they'll have an outlet."
These privileges – mail and recreation time – and special programs – library services and language skills classes provide these appropriate outlets.
Detainees are afforded a minimum of two hours of recreation time per day. This can come in different forms, with varying degrees of flexibility.
"They typically walk around, get a little exercise, talk to other detainees," said Remiker. "Each camp's rules are based on their levels of compliancy. In Camp Four they have open recreation where they can 'rec' with each other."
Detainees are also afforded multiple sources of mail depending on individual situations.
"They get regular post mail and International Committee of the Red Cross mail. They're also guaranteed privileged attorney-client mail," explained Remiker. With the exception of the privileged mail, JDG personnel "screen mail, just to make sure they aren't passing sensitive information back and forth."
The library program also contributes greatly to detainee quality of life. However, library privileges are dependent on detainee behavior.
"Based on their compliancy status, most detainees are offered one book a week," said Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Vince Hamilton, detainee special programs officer in charge. "Highly complaint detainees are authorized two books."
Detainees have access to a library of more than 6,000 items, from books and magazines, to DVDs and CDs. Managing this is a dedicated librarian, known as "Julie." Like every job at the JTF, this one is more complicated than it looks.
"The biggest obstacles are finding a wide variety of reading material that runs the gamut from children's literature all the way up to a scholarly level, because many of our patrons have reading levels that vary," said Julie. "And of course we're trying to acquire material in 18 different languages."
Formal education programs are offered too. Those wishing to better their language skills can request basic Arabic and Pashto courses. There is also a popular Arabic-to-English language skill class being offered.
"It's a win-win scenario. The detainees are getting educated and can communicate better. It's good for the guards because they can communicate better with the detainees," said Remiker. "Twenty-one people are taking classes, with a waiting list of eight. Our limiting factor is space, instructors and scheduling. The general mood is optimistic. They're excited to learn."
Holding an Arabic-English copy of "Wuthering Heights," Bronte's classic tale of unrequited love, Julie ponders the effectiveness of the linguistics program.
"I don't know if this is a result of our English program, but our dual language books have been popular lately, and for the most part they're romances," said Julie. "It's hard for me to say if there is a sudden spur in the romantic sentiments of the detainees or if it's actually just because of the nature of the book itself."
In addition to the recreation and education opportunities eligible detainees enjoy, some will eventually be able to make occasional telephone calls to family members. According to the Staff Judge Advocate's office, JTF Guantanamo is working on plans to implement this special program, though no specific details are available yet.
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2008 10:06 |
| Story ID: | 18272 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 269 |
| Downloads: | 245 |
This work, Compliancy Status Determines Detainee Privileges and Special Programs, by PO2 Nathaniel Moger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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