US refuses prisoner transfers to Iraqis until treatment standards verified News
US refuses prisoner transfers to Iraqis until treatment standards verified

[JURIST] The US military will not transfer detainees [JURIST news archive] to Iraqi-operated prisons or transition US-run facilities to Iraqi control until military officials are satisfied that Iraqis have met US standards for the treatment of detainees, according to Maj. Gen. John D. Gardner, commanding US-run prisons in Iraq. The decision was made after two raids of Iraqi run facilities [JURIST report] earlier this months uncovered abused prisoners. At the same time, however, officers have voiced concerns about the growing inmate population and overcrowding at Iraq's four American-run prisons, which are currently operating at 119% capacity and challenged by a backlog in the country's fledgling judicial system. Earlier this year overcrowding was said to have contributed to several riots [JURIST report] and disturbances at US-run detention centers. The US military has begun inspecting Iraqi prisons for signs of abuse, but has not set a timetable for transitioning the facilities to Iraqi control. The New York Times has more.

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THIS DAY @ LAW

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