In addition to the regular camps for detainees held in extrajudicial detention there is a Guantanamo psychiatric ward at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp complex in Cuba.[1] The Department of Defense announced the opening of the psychiatric facility in March 2003. Camp Commandant Geoffrey Miller denied that the opening of the psychiatric facility was solely in response to detainees' suicide attempts. Larry C. James was the chief psychologist in 2003.
In April 2008 Adam M. Robinson, the United States Navy's Surgeon General, wrote that the "...core psychological health team comprised of one psychologist, one psychiatrist, five behavioral nurses and 14 psychiatric technicians."[2]
On June 7, 2010, the Washington Post reported, after obtaining the first official figures for capital costs of the Guantanamo camps to be made public, that the current building cost $2.9 million USD.[3]
- ^ Ian James (2003-03-07). "Mentally ill terrorism suspects to have ward". Wilmington Morning Star. p. 6A. Archived from the original on 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
- ^ Adam M. Robinson, Jr. (2008-04-03). "Comprehensive Medical Care for Detained Enemy Combatants in Guantanamo". Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
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Scott Higham; Peter Finn (2010-06-07). "At least $500 million has been spent on Guantánamo Bay renovations". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
The Pentagon spent $18.2 million on a prison hospital and $2.9 million on a psychiatric ward next door. The ward has 12 beds housed inside an elongated metal trailer-like building with reflective-glass windows and a small sign that reads "Behavioral Health Unit." The military would not permit Post reporters to look inside the facility, citing patient confidentiality.