Jail opens in Kirkuk, sets standard

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | Task Force Marne Deputy Commanding General Maneuver Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue, II, talks to an Iraqi girl holding the ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors, before the ceremony for an expansion to the Kirkuk Detention Facility Center, at the Iraqi Police Provincial Headquarters, in Kirkuk, Iraq, May 20.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

05.22.2010

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

KIRKUK, Iraq -- After only 45-days of construction, a 3rd floor addition to the Kirkuk Detention Facility Center was opened at the Iraqi Police Provincial Headquarters, in Kirkuk, Iraq, May 20.

The detention facility is now made up of the 3rd floor which includes numerous cells and operation rooms for the guards where they can observe prisoners by security camera.

The expansion was built to elevate overcrowding and to assist in segregating the prisoners by threat level, according to Maj. Jeffery D. Simmons, a native of Birmingham, Mich., and Iraqi Security Forces logistics team chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 'Ready First' 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

Before, the expansion was opened; there was not enough room for the prisoners and we were not in accordance with the standards on human rights, said Kirkuk Provincial Police Chief Maj. Gen. Jamal Thaker Bakr, during the ceremony.

He continued, as everyone knows even the accused has the right to live like a person.

Now with the jail opening we are in accordance, thanks to the quick work of the contractor, ISF and the Ready First Combat Team, said Jamal at the end of his speech.

Following the speeches, Jamal along with Task Force Marne Deputy Commanding General Maneuver Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue, II; Ready First Commander Col. Larry Swift; and Ready First Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. James P. Daniels, moved to the 3rd floor for the ribbon cutting and tour of the new jail.

During the tour Jamal spoke to his guests about how grateful he was that this project had been executed so well.

"My hope is this will be one of the best facilities, and Kirkuk Iraqi Police will continue to set the standard," said Jamal.

• Date Taken: 05.22.2010
• Date Posted: 05.22.2010 06:11
• Story ID: 50089
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ