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)

Memorandum to General Geoffrey Miller regarding Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), Donald Rumsfeld's memorandum. The memo to Gen. Miller seeks clarification on the use of certain techniques, including a concern about the removal of the Koran from ...
Jan. 02, 2007
Non-legal Memo
James T. Hill
Geoffrey D. Miller
Geoffrey D. Miller, Donald H. Rumsfeld, James T. Hill
Sleep deprivation, Isolation, Other

Field Manual for urban operations. Overview of offensive & defensive operations in urban areas and stability & support ops (i.e. peacekeeping ops & humanitarian assistance support). Information is strategic & tactical in ...

Army Field Manual No. 3-06: FM 3-06 Urban Operations. Provides the Army soldier with guidance and understanding of the urban warfare environment and the proper manner to conduct themselves and participate in operations.
This document contains the medical records from numerous detainees during the summer and Fall of 2003. The records are not separated to distinguish from one patient to another. However, the records cover the medical treatment of numerous Iraqi ...
CID Report of investigation regarding alleged misconduct by six U.S. soldiers in Baghdad, Iraq between April 22 and May 18, 2003. Investigation “established cause to believe [two soldiers committed an unlawful weapons transfer to an Iraqi ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Nelson van Eck
These are notes and observations on Operation Iraqi Freedom from the JRTC Fire Support team while in the CENTCOM AOR during OPERATIONS Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom from May 31 - June 13, 2003.
Interview of a detainee at Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay. The detainee was not willing to be interviewed until he was able to make a phone call to his family. He did state that stated that many of the detainees were being mistreated. He stated that ...
Medical records of an Iraqi male, Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) admitted to hospital with g gunshot wound to the abdomen and associated injuries. The medical records do not give any indication as to how the detainee received his injuries. The ...
FBI memo documenting Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) assistance and challenges encountered during TDY assignment in Guantanamo.
Dec. 15, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Hector M. Pesquera
Hector M. Pesquera, Frankie Battle
The only discernable text in this five (5) page email are dates and times of the email and the salutation "Thanks for the heads up. talk to you soon." The email is otherwise completely redacted.
This memo is from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Units (BAU) discussing how the interrogation of suspected Al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects was proceeding. The memo states "several discussions were held to determine the most effective means of ...
FBI Memo re: Behavioral Analysis Units (BAU) Challenges Encountered at Guantanamo Bay. No additional pages; no content.
Jan. 02, 2007
Non-legal Memo
Raymond Mey, Marion E. Bowman, Hector M. Pesquera, C. Frank Figliuzzi, Stephen R. Wiley, Frankie Battle
An SSA was assigned to GTMO for three weeks. In the memo the SSA summarizes information for CIRG Management. The memo contains dates of meetings with other FBI agents, agencies and of detainee interviews observed. SSA reports that he/she ...
Dec. 15, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Stephen R. Wiley
Pamphlet 600-8-101: Personnel General - Personnel Processing: In-, Out-, Soldier Readiness, Mobilization and Deployment Processing. Manual on mobilization and deployment processing of soldiers (to and from theater of operations, demobilization ...
Memo discusses information obtained from a telephonic interview of redacted. [redacted] discussed the general environment of AG (e.g. protocol for receiving new detainees). [redacted] stated that "it was not uncommon to see people without ...
Mar. 03, 2005
Interview (Transcript)
Thomas Pappas
Nudity, Other Humiliation, Sexual

Memorandum requesting creation of additional sub-files for quick access and retrieval of cable traffic received from Other Government Agencies regarding Guantanamo and Afghanistan and repatriation of detainees.

This May 28, 2003 email states that going forward Jim Mitchell and Bruce Jessen will be doing much less in the interrogation role and more strategic consulting work, research and program development projects, and more in the psychology role. The ...
Dec. 20, 2016
Email
Bruce Jessen, James Mitchell
Abu Zubaydah
Interview of a detainee at Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay. The detainee was unwilling to discuss any topic previously addressed, stating everything is "in the file". He said that he is very tired of being mislead by interrogators who never offer the ...
This memo is background information on International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) President Kellenberger in preparation of a meeting with Sec. of State Powell.
Dec. 30, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Arthur E. Dewey
Colin L. Powell, Arthur E. Dewey
This investigative report was generated by the Criminal Investigative Task Force (CITF) Report of Investigative Activity and the interview of the detainee at Camp Delta was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Navy Naval ...
Dec. 21, 2005
Investigative File, Interview (Summaries/Notes)
Physical assault, General
This Military Police Investigative Report is based on the death of a detainee while in custody during “Operation Stronghold”. The allegations concern the shooting death of Mohammed Sayari by a Special Forces team. The investigation revealed ...
Apr. 05, 2005
Investigative File (CID)
Mohammed Sayari
Memo confirming Sec. Powell's meeting with International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) President Kellenberger on May 27, 2004. Meeting objectives include discussing ICRC’s ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of detainees in Afghanistan ...
Letter from Edward Davey Member of the UK House of Commons expressing concerns about the continuing detention of his constituent at Guantanamo and requesting information and access to the gentleman.
Jan. 12, 2005
Letter
Edward Davey
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell

This memo was circulated by the government to all U.S. Attorneys around the country in response to public criticism of the Patriot Act. 

Nov. 09, 2005
Non-legal Memo
Guy A. Lewis
Guy A. Lewis, Mary Beth Buchanan, John D. Ashcroft, Patrick Leahy
Medical records of a 40 year-old Iraqi male, Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) admitted to hospital with gunshot wound to abdomen. The medical records do not give any indication as to how the detainee received his injuries or what detention facility he ...
Medical records of a 20 year-old Iraqi male, Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) admitted to hospital with gunshot wound to abdomen. The medical records do not give any indication as to how the detainee received his injuries or what detention facility he ...
Email from JoAnn Dolan to Ed Cummings and Joshua Dorosin forwarding an email from Carol Santos with two attachments and a request for editing/adding to attached documents on Afghan detainee issues for Sec. of State Powell's meeting with ...
Email from JoAnn Dolan to Edward R. Cummings, Joshua L. Dorosin and Todd F. Buchwald re: International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) Sees No Humanitarian Crisis. This email forwards a cable describing International Committee for the Red ...
This transcript of an interview with a First Sergeant of the 314th Military Police Company; 320th Battalion details his deployment, training and equiping his unit for deployment to Iraq in January 2004. His unit was deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq ...
July 30, 2005
Interview (Transcript)
Physical assault, General, Assault/death, Use of phobias, Threat
Memo from CIRG NCAVC/Behavioral Analysis Unit-East to Counter terrorism- Miami. BAU was asked to provide some specific training related to issues identified while observing interviews at Guantanamo. Discusses meetings/consultations with various ...
Dec. 15, 2004
Non-legal Memo
Frankie Battle
Interview of a detainee at Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay. The detainee was being held in isolation at the time of the interview was scheduled, and he refused to answer any questions. Detainee did complain about the "harsh" treatment of the guards.
May 18, 2005
Non-legal Memo, Interview (Summaries/Notes)
General, Isolation, Physical assault
An Army Command Sergeant Major with the 724th Military Police Battalion deployed to Camp Bucca, and described his unit's experience and the challenges they faced at the prison with force protection. The CSM stated that his unit's job was to ...
An Army Staff Sergeant with the 314th Military Police Company describes his unit’s deployment to Iraq and his experience at Abu Ghraib prison. He describes handling detainees on a day-to-day basis and certain events that occurred at Abu Ghraib, ...
An Army Major with the 320th Military Police Battalion Internment Resettlement discusses Military Police Procedures and Detainee Processing at Abu Ghraib Prison. He discusses the operations at the prison and the challenges faced. He describes ...
CID Investigation into a shooting of a civilian by a tower guard at Camp Bucca International Facility, Iraq. Due to a miscommunication, detainee was initially thought to be deceased, but was treated at a U.S. Army Medical Facility and is ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott
Physical assault, General
Instructions for Task Force Talon Unit in detaining individuals. Deadly force is not authorized unless ammunition, weapons or explosives are being looted. Categories of detainees. Rules of Engagement. Arrest procedures.
Memo of admonishment to a military supervisor for "failure to accomplish supervisory duties" for his failure to ensure that only approved techniques were used in interrogations at Guantanamo. While the admonishment is merely an administrative ...
Interview of a detainee at Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay. The detainee when interviewed stated the "guards [at Camp Delta] were teasing the detainees and because of the noise they were making he was beaten in the leg and mouth". The summary also ...
May 18, 2005
Non-legal Memo, Interview (Summaries/Notes)
Physical assault, General, Face slap or insult slap
An Army First Sergeant discusses Military Police Operations in Iraq and specifically at Camp Bucca. He discussed the deployment, arrival in-country, interaction with other units and the guard duties at Camp Bucca.
Interview of a detainee at Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay. The detainee's interview is broken-down by date and a synopsis of the interviews follows. In addition, there is a status report on the number of detainees being held and a description of ...
May 18, 2005
Non-legal Memo, Interview (Summaries/Notes)
Hector M. Pesquera, C. Frank Figliuzzi, Frankie Battle, Thomas G. Donlon

Juvenile detainee in Camp Bucca, Iraq stated that a guard from the 320th Military Police (MP) Battalion had twisted his arm while removing a piece of fruit from his hand. (The guard had accused him of stealing the fruit.) The detainee's elbow ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Physical assault, General
Email to FBI officials providing logistics for their temporary duty (TDY) in Guantanamo. The email contains attachments, which lists what not to do and what to do while in Guantanamo such as: DO NOT utilize cell phones in GTMO, the Cuban ...
This interview is of a 2LT with the 320th Military Police Battalion. He describes his unit and how they were deployed to Iraq. He then describes his job function and the process of gathering military intelligence; identifying High Value ...
DOS Action Slip has a post it message that reads: “S/WCI is the appropriate office for Guantanamo letters, Jeff Kern 78089”
Nov. 23, 2004
Letter
Jeffrey Kern
Letter from Amnesty International's Noa Kleinman, expressing concern over the non-disclosure of names/country of origin of thirteen Guantanamo detainees who were transferred for release. The letter urges the disclosure of the information. The ...
Nov. 23, 2004
Letter
Colin L. Powell, Frank E. Schmelzer
Omar Ahmed Khadr
Isolation
Letter from Amnesty International's Noa Kleinman, expressing concern over the non-disclosure of names/country of origin of thirteen Guantanamo detainees who were transferred for release. The letter urges the disclosure of the information. The ...
Nov. 23, 2004
Letter
George W. Bush, Frank E. Schmelzer
Omar Ahmed Khadr
Isolation
This documents the interview of Detainee 269 at GTMO on 3/14/03 and states that Detainee 269 was interviewed in Arabic at Camp Delta. The document is heavily redacted.
63 year-old male detainee diagnosed with traumatic osteoarthritis of right elbow, Constipation and Pitting Edema. This document is related to ACLU RDI 77. He was part of fourty-four Iraqi detainees who were allegedly abused by U.S. soldiers while ...
Apr. 18, 2005
Medical (Physical (non-death))
General, Physical assault
Interview of a detainee at Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay. The detainee was asked about the different names he has given to identify himself. He said used this name because of the abuse he received from interrogators in Pakistan after he was ...
This State Department cable provides insight on a trip to Baghdad, Iraq by President of the International Committee for the Red Cross Kellenberger. Mr. Kellenberger privately shared his impressions of the situation in Iraq with U.S. Ambassador ...
Nov. 23, 2004
Cable
Kevin Edward Moley