The Location, Atmosphere & Situation at Abu Ghraib by Sept. 2003

When the 372nd Military Police Company arrived at Abu Ghraib prison in September of 2003, the conditions within the prison were deplorable. Painted with pictures of Hussein, and remains of human bodies scattered around, the soldiers stationed there were less than eager to be in charge of watching and regulation the prisoners detained there. Described as "a desert bowl of misery," the heat index could reach over 130 degrees. The smell of sweat, feces, urine and decay ran rampant, and the prison could go days without electricity or running water.

Abu Ghraib prison

Former Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, commander of U.S. military detention operations, says that resources and back-up were requested numerous times, not only at Abu Ghraib, but at other prison facilities also. The 372nd MP company was trained to support combat operations, not act as prison guards for thousands of Iraqi citizens. They had received no training in corrections, and upon learning that this would be their mission, their morale plummeted. The prison was the most attacked U.S. position in Iraq, and was positioned next to the most dangerous road in Iraq.

Throughout July and August 2003, the prison only held about 1,000 prisoners and the atmosphere was fairly stable. However, due to mass round-ups and slow releases, the population soared to over 6, 000 by the end of September. With less than 300 MPs, the ratio was 20:1. The lack of management, security and manpower would lead to crisis and scandal that would plague the 372nd MP Company, and destroy the credibility of the American Army. 

Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib