No Peeing on the Prisoners

Given recent events at Abu Ghraib prison, and calls from family members and army personnel alike, the following guidelines have been distributed to all military police and personnel involved in prisoner detention and interrogation. It has become evident that proper instruction and guidelines have been lacking. The following directives are intended to rectify this oversight.

Please read these directives carefully, and refer any questions or concerns you may have to your commanding officer. Prisoners are for detention, not for play.

Sincerely, Major General Geoffrey Miller, Deputy Commander for Containment Operations, Iraq.

Rules regarding personnel conduct during prisoner detention and interrogation:

1. There will be no urinating on prisoners. Ample bathroom facilities have been provided at Abu Ghraib, in part due to recent upgrades and renovation by the previous management. While the need for personnel to relieve themselves may occur at inconvenient moments during interrogation, it is the responsibility of each and every member of the assigned questioning team to inform their superior of their need to use the lavatory. There will be no exceptions.
   

2. No pointing, gawking, fondling, or commenting on prisoner genitalia. While it is understandable that there be some culture shock in the realization that enemy prisoners possess the same genitalia as army personnel, it is neither ethical nor allowable for personnel to point, discuss or touch a prisoner's genitalia. Please refer to Cultural Sensitivity Manual 122-C for further clarification.
   

3. Prisoners are not to be used for purposes of personal expression. While artistic and personal expression is encouraged amongst all members of the armed forces during off hours and sanctioned leave periods, it must be made clear that prisoners are not kept for this purpose. There will be no stacking of prisoners, body sculpting, pile-on sessions or performance art pieces involving detainees. Ample art supplies, including playdough, construction paper, and finger paint can be found in your assigned recreation room. Please talk to your commanding officer should you need to requisition further materials.
   

4. All military equipment will be used for its intended and designed purposes only. All equipment, including maintenance and cleaning items, are to be used and stored properly. Under no circumstances will items such as broom handles and light fixtures be stored inside detainees, nor their contents disposed of upon their persons. Please refer to Equipment Use & Storage Guidelines Manual 132-E should you be unsure of the operation of any item in your care.
   

5. Prisoners are not an allowable substitute for dog food. It has come to our attention that some members of the prison supervisory staff have been trying to feed prisoners to military guard dogs. Under no circumstances is this allowed. Military dogs require a very specific, nutritionally balanced diet while in the field. Only Canine Nutrient 293-C should be used when feeding. Please be sure to check stocks regularly, and inform your commanding officer should supplies dip below a three-day window to allow ample time for requisitioning and shipment.
   

6. There will be no filming or photographing while on duty. Under no circumstances will images of any sort be taken during normal duty hours at Abu Ghraib. The military understands the need for personnel to share their experiences with loved ones and friends back home. However, great care has been taken to control the visibility of operations and those conducting them. Such measures as prisoner hooding and the denial of media access are used not only for reasons of interrogation and security, but for the protection of you, the prison personnel. Please refer to Army Manual 142-D, Plausible Deniability, the Media and You, for further clarification.
   

While the supervision of detainees can, at times, be a daunting and confusing task, it is hoped that after reading the above, you will have a clearer understanding of the care, treatment, and use of prisoners under your authority. It is important that you read these instructions, understand them, and follow them to the letter. It is your responsibility to seek clarification. Should at any time you not be able to contact your commanding officer and are required to make a decision in a circumstance not covered by the above directives, please ask yourself the following question as an aid to your decision-making process:

"Would my mother approve of me doing this?"