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OLC Memo re: conditions of confinement at CIA covert overseas facilities

Aug. 31, 2006 | OLC | ACLU-RDI 4553

An OLC memo from Steven Bradbury to John Rizzo analyzing whether certain conditions of confinement used by the CIA in covert overseas facilities are consistent with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.  The conditions are: (1) "blocking detainees' vision by covering their eyes with some opaque material," (2) "incommunicado" and "prolonged isolation," (3) "white noise in the walkways of the detention facilities," (4) "full-time illumination of the detainees' cells," (5) "shackling detainees when they are being moved around the detention facilities," (6) "shaving the head and facial hair."  The memo concludes that none of the conditions violates Common Article 3.