[JURIST] US Defense Department Administrative Review Boards (ARB) [DOD materials] reviewing the status of prisoners held by the US at Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] cleared 46 detainees for transfer to the custody of their home countries, according to new figures [chart, PDF] posted on the DOD website. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England [official profile], the civilian in control of the review boards, can now determine whether to abide by the panels' decisions and return the detainees to their home countries, or to overrule the decision and keep the detainees in US custody.

The latest figures indicate that over the past year officials have reviewed 211 cases [ARB summary, PDF] in some 330 sittings. None of the reviews, however, have resulted in recommendations for outright release. In 165 cases the boards recommended continued detentions [JURIST report]. AP has more.