Army Spc. Shanita Simmons

“ As a member of the council of representatives for the APA, James said he has had many opportunities to speak with colleagues working within academic and clinical settings to help them understand the important role psychologists play within military detention facilities. As a representative for military psychologists, his goal is to help his colleagues understand that the political climate surrounding the detention of an individual should not affect the care they receive. ”

“ The only difference is the population of the people we are dealing with,” said James. “Roughly 5-to-10 percent of any general prison population in the United States will have inmates who experience signifi cant mental health concerns. I think it will be unconscionable and morally wrong to deprive the detainees here or any inmates housed within U.S. facilities of mental health services.”
James, who has deployed to other BSCT sites over the course of his career, said he does not need any statistics to validate the need for psychologists within military detention facilities. ”

“ JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs The negative spotlight placed on psychologists assigned to military detention facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has now dimmed after the American Psychological Association showed support for the work performed by its colleagues. ”