Why, this is hell, nor are we out of it
The recently declassified November 2004 report on detainee abuse in Iraq contains the following items in close conjunction with each other on page 47.
- [elided] were blindfolded, sometimes with duct tape, for purposes of force protection and to prevent escape. These detaineeds were held in small cells measuring 20 inches (wide) x 4 feet (high) x 4 feet (deep), that loud music was played at a volume to prevent detainees from communicating with each other, and then [elided] was employed as a method of setting favorable conditions for interrogations.
- AR 190-8 requires detainees to be quartered in conditions providing ample light, space, and comfort.
The document also helpfully comments that the 20"x4'x4' cells did not provide room for the detainees to lie down or stand up, and later on considers that locking someone up in one of these for a two days is just fine.
Oh, yeah, the United States of America is certainly a shining example for the rest of the world (at least the parts of the world where the government tortures people.)