Military evacuates Guantanamo prison due to infrastructure problems

The military had to evacuate a prison housing men accused of plotting the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and other detainees from the war against terrorism due to undisclosed infrastructure problems, as reported by Defense Department employees. The sudden closure of the former showcase prison at Guantánamo Bay over the weekend was not commented on by the military. However, by Tuesday, all 30 detainees were believed to be confined to a medium-security prison building called Camp 6, according to the anonymous employees.

Camp 6, built in 2006 for $39 million, was designed to house up to 200 detainees. Until this past week, it held 16 general population prisoners in communal-style detention, all of whom have been approved for transfer to the custody of other countries. The camp is equipped with separate cellblocks, each containing about two dozen cells, a large common room, and an adjacent outdoor area monitored by cameras. When operated as a medium-security facility, guards remotely open all the cell doors for most of the day, allowing prisoners to eat, pray, watch TV, and engage in other communal activities until ordered back to their cells.

Impact on Detained Individuals

The transfer of prisoners is pending, with particular concern for the 11 Yemeni men whose transfer to Oman is currently on hold. The evacuation and the closure of the former showcase prison highlight the military's ongoing response to the evolving security and infrastructure requirements at Guantánamo Bay.

The situation at Guantánamo Bay continues to evolve, with the evacuation and relocation of detainees raising questions about the future of the facility and the individuals detained there. The military's handling of the situation reflects its commitment to addressing security and infrastructure challenges proactively.