House quoted statements the Pentagon released in response to Greenwald's report: "A maximum custody detainee is able to receive the same privileges that a detainee classified as general population may receive. . . . A maximum custody detainee also receives daily television, hygiene call, reading and outside physical activity without restraint. . . . Pfc. Manning, as well as every other maximum custody detainee, is allotted approximately one hour of television per day. He may view any of the available channels. . . . Pfc. Manning is allotted one hour of recreation time per day, as is every other maximum custody detainee. Depending on the weather, his recreation time may be spend indoors or outdoors. Activities may include calisthenics, running, basketball, etc. . . . Pfc. Manning, as well as all other detainees, is issued adequate bedding."
House wrote that Manning had denied to him, during recent visits, some of the military's assertions:
"Manning related to me on December 18 2010 that he is not allowed to view international news during his television period. He mentioned that he might theoretically be able to view local news, but his television period is typically from 7pm -" 8pm such that no local news is playing in the Quantico, VA area. Manning told me explicitly on December 18 2010 that he is not, nor has he ever been, allowed newspapers while in confinement. When I said 'The Pentagon has stated that you are allowed newspapers', his immediate reaction was surprised laughter.
". . . Manning stated to me on December 18 2010 that he has not been outside or into the brig yard for either recreation nor exercise in four full weeks. He related that visits to the outdoors have been infrequent and sporadic for the past several months."
". . . Manning related to me on December 18 2010 that he does not receive any substantive exercise and cannot perform even basic exercises in his cell. When told of the Pentagon's statement that he did indeed receive exercise, Manning's reply was that he is able to exercise insofar as walking in chains is a form of exercise."
". . . Manning related to me on December 19 2010 that his blankets are similar in weight and heft to lead aprons used in X-ray laboratories, and similar in texture to coarse and stiff carpet. He . . . expressed concern that he had to lie very still at night to avoid receiving carpet burns. The problem of carpet burns was exacerbated, he related, by the stipulation that he must sleep only in his boxer shorts as part of the longstanding POI order. Manning also stated on December 19 2010 that hallway-mounted lights shine through his window at night. This constant illumination is consistent with reports from attorney David Coombs' blog that marines must visually inspect Manning as he sleeps."
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On January 14th, Scott Shane of the New York Times published the military's claims:
"The military rejects accusations that Private Manning has been mistreated. 'Poppycock,' said Col. T. V. Johnson, a Quantico spokesman. He insisted that the conditions of confinement were dictated by brig rules for a pretrial detainee like Private Manning. The soldier has been designated for 'maximum custody' -- applied because his escape would pose a national security risk -- and placed on 'prevention-of-injury watch,' restrictions imposed so that he does not injure himself. That status is based on the judgment of military medical experts and the observations of brig guards, Colonel Johnson said. Guards check Private Manning every five minutes but allow him to sleep without interruption from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., when only dim night lights are on, unless they need to wake him to be certain he is breathing. Colonel Johnson denied that Private Manning was in solitary confinement, as has been widely claimed, saying that he could talk with guards and with prisoners in nearby cells, though he could not see them. He leaves his 6-by-12-foot cell for a daily hour of exercise, and for showers, phone calls, meetings with his lawyer and weekend visits by friends and relatives, the colonel said. The prisoner can read and watch television and correspond with people on an approved list. He is not permitted to speak to the media. 'Pfc. Manning is being treated just like every other detainee in the brig,' said an internal military review concluded on Dec. 27 and read to a reporter by Colonel Johnson."
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What qualifies lights as dim is open to debate. Making certain someone is breathing has the same effect as maliciously interrupting their sleep for no good reason. The guards do not converse with Manning, according to his lawyer. And being permitted to talk to other prisoners by shouting to other cells is all very good, unless those cells are empty. His exercise is not described here. He may be being treated like every other prisoner would be if they were put permanently on POI status, but are they? I understand from someone who has spoken with Villiard that he admits the duration of Manning's POI status is unusual. And I understand from the Eighth Amendment that cruel and unusual punishment is illegal, as is any punishment prior to a trial, and as is denial of a speedy trial (see the Sixth Amendment).
Manning's lawyer has asked repeatedly to have the POI status lifted and received no response. He is now asking that Manning be freed until trial:
"Due to the lack of response from the confinement facility, the defense, pursuant to the provisions of Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 305(g), filed a request earlier today with the Garrison Commander to direct the release of PFC Bradley Manning from pretrial confinement. This request is based upon the fact that the confinement conditions currently being endured by PFC Manning are more rigorous than necessary to guarantee his presence at trial, and that the concerns raised by the government at the time of pretrial confinement are no longer applicable."
This is the one way to learn the truth of the matter: Free Bradley Manning.
There is also a way to hide even more: keep Manning in a condition that is almost guaranteed to damage his mind, and then conduct a secret trial.
Bear in mind that the materials Manning is alleged to have made public were available to some 3 million people while "secret." That's more people than some governments employ. Manning apparently believed the rest of us had a right to know what was being done with our money and in our names. On Christmas Eve, Manning released this statement through his lawyer:
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