Peter Masciola

“ The High Value Detainees have been held in prolonged solitary confinement. As is noted above, the specific conditions of confinement are classified and not subject to routine inspection by defense counsel. Inability of counsel to inspect conditions under which clients are confined: Counsel are unable to inspect or to routinely review conditions of confinement of their clients. They are thus unable to investigate client complaints to determine whether such complains are legitimate ”

“ There is no reasonable internet access in quarters areas and the quarters are far too small to serve as a work space. This is totally unacceptable for attorneys engaged in complex litigation. Availability of Meeting Times: As described, travel to GTMO remains difficult. The most reliable means of travel is a Tuesday-Thursday flight, which is now open to habeas counsel as well. Although there are a limited number ofvisitation slots for all detainees, the number of slots available for high value detainee visits currently stands at 4 (there are 16 detainees currently designated as HVDs) . ”

“ Limitations on meeting time/space substantially impair the ability of counsel to build attorney-client relationship and to overcome the distrust that is inherent in representation of detainees by attorneys (civilian or military) of the country that is detaining them. Interpreter Services: Interpreters are presently provided through a contractor. They typically either have full time jobs which they are juggling against their Commissions work or else are in a search for full-time work and loathe to commit to extensive case involvement. ”