After September 11, 2001, U.S. officials authorized the cruel treatment and torture of prisoners held in Afghanistan, Iraq, Guantanamo, and the CIA's secret prisons overseas.
This database documents the U.S. government's official experiment with torture. At present, the database contains well over 100,000 pages of government documents obtained primarily through Freedom of Information Act litigation and requests filed by the ACLU, and through litigation of Salim v. Mitchell, a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of the survivors and the family of a dead victim of the CIA torture program. To learn more about the database, please read the About and Search Help pages. If you're a developer, you can also access this data through our API.
A series of blog posts by a former OLC lawyer, Marty Lederman, discussing the difference between the DOJ's memo on torture from August 2002 and the memo on torture from December 30, 2004 (ACLU-RDI 3547). The posts conclude that the Bush ...
Power Point presentation explaining the responsibilities of U.S. armed forces and detainees' rights under the laws of war. Includes rules for record keeping, lessons for drafting sworn statements, and obligations to treat detainees with dignity ...
Power Point presentation entitled "Geneva Convention Humane Treatment of Detainees." The presentation defines current detention operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Defines key terms and standards of conduct when interacting with detainees. ...
PowerPoint presentation entitled "Communicate with Detainees & Muslim Cultural Awareness."
Discusses methods for effectively communicating with detainees, including dealing with problem detainees. Includes a lesson on Islam, its history and ...
PowerPoint presentation discussing the impact of the HIV and hepatitis viruses and identifies universal precautions and preventative measures in a detainee environment. Discusses the testing and management of detainees infected with HIV or other ...
PowerPoint presentation discussing methods for conducting physical security operations in a detainee camp. Includes procedures for safeguarding and securing keys and locking devices, security measures for the general areas and high risk areas. ...
PowerPoint presentation discussing methods for ensuring the safety of staff members at detention camps. Includes being aware of potential attacks and reacting to dangerous situations.
DOD PowerPoint presentation discussing methods for identifying contraband and procedures for conducting a frisk search, strip search, inspection/ shakedown of detainee's area, seizing contraband and observing safety precautions.
DOD PowerPoint presentation discussing the use of force on detainees. Establishes different levels of force from verbal persuasion to deadly force, when to use each level of force and the authorization required at each level.
DOD PowerPoint presentation discussing staff procedures when in close confinement, including controlling access to cell block and segregation of detainees.
DOD Presentation discussing steps to take for forcibly moving an uncooperative detainee including the use of restraints, pepper spray, and/or straightjacket.
DOD PowerPoint presentation explaining what to do in the event of a fire, a detainee escape or disorder at a detainee camp; provides photos and information.
Gives overview of detainee abuse cases, including courts-martial, Article 32 charges. Cases from Abu Gharib, Samarra and Bagram. Mentions charges, defendants, and JAG updates, including administrative actions.
This list is of nineteen (19) documents, dated from 7/1/03 - 5/24/04. Includes policies/procedures, briefing and guidance, memos, and e-mails produced. It appears that this is part of a larger document production.
Army Presentation re: Detention Operations for Collection and Handling of Detainees. Also gives "Issues," or problems within detainee operations, including "excessive detention period at BCTs," "All evidence not ...
Army Action Plan re: Checklist for Brigade Level Detention Facilities regarding conditions/processes within detention facilities, as well as a form for "Overall Conditions of Facility"
Coalition Provisional Authority Forces Apprehension Form. Standard form requesting information about the detainee and the circumstances surrounding his apprehension