News media representatives were permitted to take video and still photos Aug. 27 at the detention facility here for the first time since it became operational in December 2009.
Coalition and Afghan military and civilian leaders, news media and human rights organizations have previously toured the facility but had never been permitted to shoot photos and record video because of a Defense Department policy, which recently changed.
“The change in the documentation policy enables a level of transparency that did not previously exist, countering negative perceptions with truthful, accurate images,” said Navy Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, Joint Task Force 435’s commander. The admiral has command, control, oversight and responsibility for U.S. detention and correction operations in Afghanistan.
“Joint Task Force 435 is proud of the facility and the important mission our people are responsible for doing every day,” Harward said. “We are committed to transparency at all levels of the detention operations mission and welcome the opportunity to show that we are conducting operations in accordance with international law and providing appropriate treatment and care to all detainees.”
The Parwan facility will transition to the Afghans beginning January 2011.
Some restrictions on photography and videography remain, officials said, due to security or safety considerations. These restrictions, they added, are in place to protect detainees, the facility and its personnel by not revealing security measures or procedures. Photos or video in which detainees are recognizable are not authorized and are deleted as part of the security review.
“I am exceptionally proud of the work this task force does every day, providing humane, respectful care to those in our custody,” Harward said. “I welcome this opportunity to show what it is really like inside the detention facility in Parwan. These truthful, accurate images of our operations help to mitigate false accusations and perceptions that may otherwise fuel the insurgent cause.”
The detention facility’s design allows for safe, humane and effective management of the population, and allows willing detainees to participate in group activities and educational programs, officials said. It is equipped with modern medical facilities, an on-site family visitation area, videoteleconferencing capability, large recreation areas, vocational technical and education classrooms, and additional space to conduct legal proceedings.
The detention facility was completed in September 2009 and became fully operational in late December 2009. The facility’s design accommodates detainee reintegration efforts and enables JTF 435 to better align detainee operations with the overall strategy to defeat the extremist insurgency in Afghanistan.
