Abu Ghraib - The Location, Atmosphere, and Situation at Abu Ghraib by September 2003

Abu Ghraib was described as a horrific place known for being one of the most feared prisons of Saddam Hussein, and the place where the most treacherous torture techniques would happen at. There were pictures of Saddam Hussein all over the prison, and according to one U.S. Army soldier “there were dogs running around digging up human bodies.” Due to the heat, the odor of sweat, trash, and feces was described as “unforgettable.”  Some places were very dark and secluded, and these areas were avoided at all times.

When the 372^nd Military Police Company had arrived, they came in expecting to do support combat operations. Instead they were told to “put their weapons away, park your trucks, and that you won’t need them anymore,” and the initial reaction was confusion, because this is what they had been trained to do. Now they were told that they will be prison guards, and to basically just watch over the prisoners held. So the 372^nd did as they were ordered, and they were now “prison guards with no training.” According to the military personnel of the 372^nd Abu Ghraib was described as the “most attacked position in Iraq” with bombings, and various attacks on the road leading up to Abu Ghraib. By the end of 2003 there were over 1000 detainees, with a little less than 300 Military Police guarding all of them.