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Art Classes Coming to Gitmo

Prison camp staff will offer more activities to distract detainees

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 23, 2008 7:49 PM CST
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(Newser) – Art class at Guantanamo Bay? Yes, it's in the works—along with geology class, Game Boys, access to newspapers, and more movie nights. The prison staff wants to keep prisoners "stimulated," Guantanamo's cultural adviser told the Miami Herald. "Once they are engaged and busy, they leave the guards alone." English classes are also planned, despite fears that they may help detainees eavesdrop on guards.

Prisoners already have access to books and rely on the so-called "Detainee News Network"—information passed on by guards and lawyers. As for art class, some prisoners already draw with crayons in their cells, often making greeting cards or illustrating weapons. Weapons? ''They draw whatever they want,'' a US contractor said. "You can't stop a detainee from thinking.''

In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a U.S. Military guard passes a container of food to a Guantanamo detainee.
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a U.S. Military guard passes a container of food to a Guantanamo detainee.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a Guantanamo detainee peers through his hands from inside his cell at the Camp Echo detention facility at the U.S. Naval Base, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a Guantanamo detainee peers through his hands from inside his cell at the Camp Echo detention facility at the U.S. Naval Base, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, detainees are seen from a tower overlooking a common area where Guantanamo detainees gather.
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, detainees are seen from a tower overlooking a common area where Guantanamo detainees gather.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a group of Guantanamo detainees participate in the early morning Islamic prayer as a U.S. military guard sits nearby.
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a group of Guantanamo detainees participate in the early morning Islamic prayer as a U.S. military guard sits nearby.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Nov 24, 2008 3:23 AM CST
Game Boys, no internet porn ,cell phones , . What is next hot tubs & hookers? A Us Contractor ? What did Cheney invest another company or is Haliburton adding a new division? If everything so secret why add "outsiders" to the mix. By the way this is happening under BUSH not OBAMA, although he will get the blame for anything that is amiss. If they are Prisoners treat them as such . No us citizens get anything like this free so why are they? If they are guilty Charge them don't have a case to go to court let them go. I they weren't a terrorist what do you think they are now? Magazines and game boys will change that right? Stupid is as stupid does.
Guest
Nov 24, 2008 12:23 AM CST
What about lobotomy procedures? Could we do that?

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