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.

Search Result (6709)

RelevanceDateRelease Date
June 13, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 826
Interviewee was a detainee at AG on or around December 2003. The detainee stated that "[w]hen I arrived, I was handcuffed and had a sandbag over my head." The detainee continued, "the treatment at Abu Ghraib was not bad and I was never hit in ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Interview (Transcript)
Physical assault, Walling, General, Environmental manipulation, Hooding/Goggling
June 13, 2004 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3597
This is an article published in the Agence France-Presse concerning the release from Guantanamo of twenty-three (23) Afghanis back to Afghanistan and their journey back to their homes.
June 12, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 696
Interview of a civilian contractor with the Titan Corp. assigned to Abu Ghraib prison as an interrogator. The gentleman recalls several incidents of detainees being inappropriately treated before, during and after interrogations. He specifically ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Walling, General, Isolation, Environmental manipulation, Hooding/Goggling, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Sexual
June 12, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 756
Sworn statement of a Sergeant First Class (SFC) who arrived to Abu Ghraib prison in December 2003. The SFC recalled seeing a sign regarding the stripping down of a detainee and his cell for security purposes. The SFC inquired and the orders were ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Interview (Statement)
Nudity
June 12, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 785
Interviewee (position and date of assignment is unknown) identified [redacted] officials in photographs.
June 12, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 821
Interviewee (title and length of assignment in AG unknown). Interviewee's sworn statement identified individuals involved in detainee abuse.
Mar. 03, 2005
Interview (Transcript)
Use of phobias
June 12, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 822
Interviewee (title and length of assignment at AG unknown). In their sworn statement the interviewee identified individuals involved in alleged detainee abuse at AG.
June 12, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 840
Interviewee (title and length of assignment unknown). Interviewee reviewed several photographs of the alleged detainee abuse; identified several individuals.
June 12, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 857
Interviewee (title and length of assignment unknown). Stated that he/she reviewed several photos of detainee abuse. Identified an individual(s) in the photo(s). [document redacted].
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1222
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 ...
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1223
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. ...
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1224
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 ...
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1226
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 ...
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1227
PowerPoint presentation discussing how to account for detainees, including correct procedures for conducting head counts and bed checks.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1228
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. ...
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1229
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.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1230
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.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1231
DOD PowerPoint presentation discussing methods for escorting detainees when moving them to designated areas inside and outside the detainee camp.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1232
PowerPoint presentation discussing and depicting methods for applying handcuffs and leg restraints on detainees.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1233
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.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1234
DOD PowerPoint discusses appropriate actions to take in the event of a bomb or incendiary or explosive device is on site.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1235
Presentation discussing self-defense techniques.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1236
DOD PowerPoint presentation discussing procedures for cell block/compound guard duties and methods for maintaining detainee accountability.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1237
DOD PowerPoint presentation discussing staff procedures when in close confinement, including controlling access to cell block and segregation of detainees.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1238
DOD PowerPoint discusses procedures for detainee meal operations.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1239
DOD PowerPoint presentation discusses procedures for visiting a detention camp.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1240
DOD Presentation discussing steps to take for forcibly moving an uncooperative detainee including the use of restraints, pepper spray, and/or straightjacket.
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 1241
DOD PowerPoint discusses the use of non-lethal force against detainees during disorders and disturbances. Provides instructions on riot control.
June 11, 2004 | CRIM | ACLU-RDI 2763

This email is almost entirely redacted, but it appears to concern the "NC Case."

Oct. 15, 2004
Email
David E. Nahmias
Barry Sabin | Patrick Rowan | Christopher A. Wray
David E. Nahmias, Barry Sabin, Christopher A. Wray, Patrick Rowan
June 11, 2004 | DOJ | ACLU-RDI 2765
David A. Passaro was a contractor working on behalf of CIA, indicted in relation to interrogation techniques that resulted in death of a detainee, Abdul Wali, in Afghanistan. The indictment alleges that Passaro "beat Adbul Wali, using his hands ...
Oct. 15, 2004
Judicial (Pleading)
Frank D. Whitney | James A. Candelmo | Michael P. Sullivan
David A. Passaro, Frank D. Whitney, James A. Candelmo, Michael P. Sullivan
Abdul Wali
Physical assault, General
June 11, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 4747
Information on lesson titled "Stress Management Within Detainee Operations"
June 10, 2004 | CID | ACLU-RDI 14

Approximately 73-year-old Iraqi woman reported that she had been subjected to assault and sexual abuse, including being sodomized with a stick and touched in private areas; that she was forced to "swim" in water thrown on ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Jacqueline J. Scott, Nelson van Eck, Thom Jones
Use of water, Other, Physical assault, Sexual, General, Cramped confinement, Use of phobias, Isolation, Dietary manipulation, Environmental manipulation, Light or sound, Hooding/Goggling, Other Humiliation, Sexual
June 10, 2004 | DIA | ACLU-RDI 188
A civilian employee (CE) of the DIA reports in this memo his observation and allegation of violations of the Geneva Convention concerning detainee abuse and the illegal detainment of non-combatants. The CE alleges that he witnessed the ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Physical assault, Face slap or insult slap, Threat, Family/others
June 10, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 722
Interviewee was assigned to be the Officer in Charge of the Magistrate Cell at AG since February 2004. Discussed the processing of documents and files. There is no mention of detainees or interrogations in this statement.
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 778
Interviewee was assigned to AG from October 7-21, 2003 as a member of the Mobile Training Team. Interviewee noted, "I did see detainees in various states of dress to include nakedness and detainees. The MPs used segregation and stripping as a ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Interview (Transcript)
Use of phobias, Sleep deprivation, Isolation, Nudity, Other
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 812
Interviewee was assigned to AG from October 7-21, 2003 as a member of the Mobile Training Team. The team's mission was to provide interrogation training and provide advice and assistance. In his/her sworn statement, interviewee described ...
June 10, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 872
Memo describes a telephonic interview of [redacted]. The interviewee was assigned to AG from approximately the first week of June 2003 to September 21, 2003 as a Liaison Officer. Interviewee stated that she knew detainees were stripped during ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Non-legal Memo, Interview (Statement, Summaries/Notes)
Barbara G. Fast
Stress positions, Nudity
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 874
Interviewee was assigned to AG from mid-October to early February 2004. Interviewee stated that he once heard a detainee was raped by other detainees. Interviewee also stated that he heard rumors of abuse and discussions of 'MPs smoking' ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Non-legal Memo, Interview (Summaries/Notes)
Use of phobias, Environmental manipulation, Hooding/Goggling
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 893
Memo offers notes from a telephonic interview of [redacted] clarifying an earlier telephonic interview and sworn statement. In the interview, [redacted] states that he did not observe detainee abuse and/or nudity.
Mar. 03, 2005
Non-legal Memo, Interview (Summaries/Notes)
Nudity
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 894
Interviewee was assigned to AG from October 7-21, 2003 as a member of a five person Mobile Training Team. Interviewee stated that he/she did not witness detainee abuse and/or the use of dogs.
Mar. 03, 2005
Interview (Transcript)
Physical assault, Use of phobias
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 895
Memo discusses notes taken on June 9, 2004 from a telephonic interview with [redacted] concerning his knowledge of abuse at AG. The interviewee stated he never observed or heard of detainee abuse and/or nudity. Interviewee did state he believed ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Non-legal Memo
Physical assault, Sexual, Isolation, Nudity
June 10, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 1078
Autopsy Report, Riadh Mohammed Abd Al Razak, Abu Ghraib Prison, Iraq who collapsed while speaking to other detainees while in U.S. custody at Abu Ghraib prison. Cause of death: Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. Manner of death: Natural. ...
Apr. 18, 2005
Medical (Autopsy, Death Certificate)
Riadh Mohammed Abd Al Razak
June 10, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 1172
Investigation into a complaint by an Iraqi detainee that the U.S. soldiers who detained him stole his money when it was confiscated, cut his clothes off of him and made him stand naked in the rain for twelve hours. Investigator finds all claims ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File
Other
June 10, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 1825
Outlines corrective actions taken following the inspection of the Camp Delta Facility on May 13, 2004. Copies of rules have been put on-hand at facility. Staff and guards have been trained. Physical improvements to facility.
June 10, 2004 | CID | ACLU-RDI 1946
A detainee at Guantanamo made an allegation of abuse during his detainment in a U.S. Controlled detention facility in Afghanistan. This memo is a referral of that allegation.
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 2160
Emails provide an update on preparation for the Schlesinger Panel and ongoing detainee operations.
Feb. 15, 2006
Email
James R. Schlesinger, Thomas J. Romig, Michael J. Marchand
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 2161
Email includes an executive summary that discusses the role of female military policeman (MPs) in detainment facilities. Among their roles, female MPs search male inmates and serve as security in male inmate housing areas.
Feb. 15, 2006
Email
Donald J. Ryder, James R. Schlesinger
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 2162
Emails reference an executive summary and a June 10, 2004 daily update. [Documents are not included.
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 2164
Emails discuss a June 14, 2004 congressional hearing (secret security level).
Feb. 15, 2006
Email
Donald J. Ryder
June 10, 2004 | DOD | ACLU-RDI 2165
Email notifying recipients of an upcoming meeting.
Feb. 15, 2006
Email
James A. Coggin