Guantanamo: prison on the Island of Freedom soon to be closed

The U.S. military base in Guantanamo, Cuba, became world famous after the United States launched a war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. The inmates are kept in six camps with various security levels. In the most "liberal" camp prisoners can be held the whole day in the courtyard for walks and move freely and take care of "household" affairs.

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© Sputnik / Denis Voroshilov

The U.S. military base in Guantanamo, Cuba, became world famous after the United States launched a war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. The inmates are kept in six camps with various security levels. In the most "liberal" camp prisoners can be held the whole day in the courtyard for walks and move freely and take care of "household" affairs.

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© Sputnik / Denis Voroshilov

The camps for prisoners are located on the coast of the Caribbean Sea.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

The camps have different security levels. The entrances to camps 5 and 6 have strict and special security regimes.

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© Sputnik / Denis Voroshilov

Guards watch the prisoners 24 hours a day. The change of the security guards lasts for 25 minutes; they are armed only with pepper gas.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

The cell doors are opened 22 hours a day and prisoners can walk around the general hall and talk.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

A cell. Orange clothes are for those who break the rules or show aggression toward guards or cellmates.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

Each inmate receives a set of clothes and set of personal items, including a necessary rug for prayers, hats, beads and a Quran. Shower gels, shampoo and soap are delivered by a specially chosen company.

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© Sputnik / Denis Voroshilov

Prisoners have their own small fitness center.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

The prisoners have a varied menu: fish, chicken, dietary, and vegetarian.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

Prisoners willingly take part in lessons which are organized by the prison administration. The most popular lessons are drawing, while the former Taliban members also willingly study English and computer.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

The second popular occupation in Guantanamo is watching TV. TV sets are placed in anti-vandal containers in the common halls for prisoners. The local attraction is a church. It differs from the military constructions painted mainly in sandy tones.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

The military base of Guantanamo does not differ from a small American town: there is a McDonald’s restaurant, shopping centers, and also cinemas, golf greens.

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© RIA Novosti . Denis Voroshilov

There are even famous American souvenir shops located in Guantanamo.