I heard about a new plan to house the Guantanamo Bay’s detainees in some possible mid-western city jails while they wait for their trials. Michigan and Kansas are being considered as possible end destination prisons. Of course, the prisons/jails would have to be maximum security. It is said, that the prisons we already have would have to be renovated. Of course they would, we are not talking everyday prisoners here. We are talking very controversial prisoners who have the potential to be some of the most violent, and dangerous kind.
Michigan needs jobs to be sure…but, many Michigan residents do not want to be that close to the turmoil that is going to be generated by the trials for these detainees. These trials could have the potential of becoming an epi-center of protest, violence and or, additional acts of terrorism. Michigan is not that desperate for jobs. It is true that Michigan has closed down some prisons in the state and there are many corrections officers in need of jobs…but, this situation is extra-ordinary. We know so little of what these inmates are being held for…their specific alleged acts of terrorism. The government doesn’t release that kind of information.
Is it fair to have corrections officers in charge of those who are alleged to have been a part of extreme violence if they are not trained to work with such prisoners? Shouldn’t that be a military responsibility? Because of national security, we know very little in the civilian world about the risks of housing these inmates. I just wonder if there is a prison that is secure enough and in an area of isolation that would provide enough safety for those in the surrounding areas near the prison. There are more questions than answers regarding this situation that is allegedly supposed to be resolved near the end of this year… and that doesn’t leave much time to figure it out and take appropriate action.
In my mind, this issue is going to be like the issue of barges that were refused to be allowed to dock, years ago, because there was no state or country willing to take the cargo on the barges….loads of trash. Everyone knew that it needed to be dealt with but, noone wanted it in their own backyard. No one wanted the responsibility of figuring out what to do with it.
These human prisoners from Guantanamo Bay need to have their legal situations resolved. Human beings are more important than barges of trash…they can not wait forever to either go to trial for terrorism (if they have evidence against them) or, they need to be released back to the country from which they came. Many of the detainees have alleged abuse or neglect while in custody. Some have voiced complaints about religious violations, in the way that they were treated during their imprisonment. How will all of these issues be resolved when so little information is released to the public? If more information is released to the public, will it fan the flames of hatred and distrust? Things are not simple or clear on how things will proceed.
They are going to be moved soon as President Obama is planning on closing down the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba…and, no one is going to want the responsibility of housing them for fear of repercussions by extremists. Who would be in control of the proceedings; the government, the military, or the judicial system? Where should they be moved to; and, how do you protect the safety of those people living and working around whatever prison you move them to while they wait to go to trial? What do you think should happen?
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