The Associated Press

January 24, 2009

A senior justice official says the Iraqi government will reopen the notorious Abu Ghraib prison next month, but it will have a new name.

The announcement comes as the U.S. military has begun handing over detainees in its custody to the Iraqis under a new security agreement.

Deputy Justice Minister Busho Ibrahim says the renovated facility will be called Baghdad’s Central Prison because the previous name has left a ‘bitter feeling inside Iraqis’ hearts.’

Ibrahim adds the prison will house 3,500 inmates when it reopens in mid-February and will have a capacity for about 15,000 by the end of this year.

By Joseph Womble, published Sep 20, 2008

The Iraq government is building a new museum. In the Abu-Gharib prison. They will show the world the horrors of the Saddam Hussein regime. The torture chamber will contain items from the Ba’ath party’s rule.

However, one glaring missing piece will be anything that documents the American Abu Gharib scandal of 2004. this is an absolute outrage! The scandal of 2004, exposed the prison for the horrific place it was. The Abu-Gharib scandal forever imprinted minds with the tragic consequences of torture.

The Abu-Gharib prison was opened in 1960 as an insane asylum. Iraq’s insane, as well as political prisoners were held there. It was a feared place. The mere mention of its name struck terror into the hearts of the Iraqi people. This terror became even more profound when Saddam Hussein came to power. The torture that went on in that place is too graphic to mention here.

In 2003, after the Americans invaded, the prison was taken over and named BCCF, Baghdad Central Correctional Facility. Prisoners of all types and ages were held there. Many had no information and were eventually released. Finally, a select group were selected as “actionable detainees.” These detainees were held on a special unit. In late 2003, the top guys from the CIA and the Pentagon sent word that the “kids gloves were coming off.” The prison was to be called by it’s old name. Abu Gharib. The “actionable” detainees were to be tortured to obtain actionable information. The details after that soon became known worldwide.

The Iraqi government should include this important part of Abu-Gharib’s history in the museum. This will remind future generations of the atrocity of torture. what happens when good people turn bad, and of the consequences of system failure. In my opinion, this Will make the world a better place, and give courage to those who stand up against this evil practice in the world’s militaries.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1027564/the_missing_piece_of_the_new_abu_gharib.html?cat=9