Untimely #5 - Gitmo

Upon arrival detainees are initially held in Camp 3. Immediately detainees undergo a process of preliminary interrogation to determine in which camp they will be held subsequently. The six camps are characterized by different amenities and levels of comfort.

In general detainees who are compliant are allowed certain luxury items such as thermal clothing, writing apparatus and library privileges. One detainee – a poet – told his representative that it was impossible to write, as pens and pencils were permitted for short periods only.

Consistent positive behaviour may allow detainees to progress to Camp 4. Camp 4 allows those detainees who pose no disciplinary problems to congregate freely. Unlike Camp 3, there is no ‘giant noise machine [generator?]’ or the constant tramping of guards’ boots to prohibit communication. Detainees are held in 10-cot bunkhouses with communal areas for meals, recreation and prayer. There is a sports field and movies are often shown as entertainment.

The department explains that detainees may be placed in Camp 5 or 6 as a result of persistent misconduct such as launching ‘concoctions’ of faeces and urine at the guards, head-butting guards or staging protests of some form. The department employs a comprehensive ‘screening process’ in which multiple staff provide data on individual detainees. Cells in Camps 5 and 6 are designed xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with xxxxxxxxxxxx windows and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx doors. Recreation is allowed xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and meals are provided xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At all stages of interrogation and screening the department seeks to ascertain detainees’ responses to the question ‘What does xxx mean, xxxxxxx?’ Responses serve as a constructive indicator of a detainee’s compliance and well-being and, in turn, as a determinant of detainee placement within the suite of camp facilities. Responses include:

“xxxxxxhood.”

“xxxxxxxxxxxx x xxx xxxx xxxxxx xxx xxxxxx foliage.”

“The xxxxxxxxxx of circles.”

“Space xxxxxx!”

“Disorder… and xxxxxx. Often they are the same thing!”

“Really, really very good xxxx.”

“Winning xxx xxxxx xxx.”

“Inflatables.”

“It’s just a word.”

[Each of these detainees was placed in Camp 5.]