Oh, Good... They've Rebuilt a Nicer Abu Ghraib

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Abu Graib is back in the news. It's not what you think.  According to an article on CNN.com, this new prison aims to make amends for the mistakes made by the previous owners.  Here's the quote:

"Abu Ghraib has reopened under Iraqi government control. And the Ministry of Justice has launched a public-relations campaign to show it has changed since the days when prisoners were tortured there. It is now called Baghdad Central Prison, and has water fountains, a freshly planted garden and a gym -- complete with weights and sports teams’ jerseys on the walls.

According to Murtada Sharif, a Ministry of Justice official, 'We want to change its image, to make it a place of justice.'"

To see if they have changed, we checked out their ratings on TripAdvisor.com.  Here are the results.

TRIP ADVISOR

Baghdad Central Prison (Formerly Abu Ghraib)
Property Type: Prison
Visitor Reviews:
1-7 of 20,000

#1.

“LOVE WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH THE PLACE!”

Ahmed R.
“Stayed here in 2003 and now I'm back again after being denied a lawyer :( Much better atmosphere, imho. Piped in muzac to drown out the screams of fellow prisoners is a nice touch! Staff much friendlier -- actually smile!! while jabbing you in the ribs with rifles/other prisoners! Would recommend to friends/relatives had they not already been killed in 2003.”

10,576 prisoners found this review helpful.

#2.

“PRETTY GOOD!!”

Anon
“I'd love the new water fountains if I weren't so terrified of water (after being waterboarded for four years).”

120 prisoners found this review helpful.

#3.

“EXCELLENT!”

Mrs. Al-Sheik
“I love the BCP! A while back my husband, Ameen Saeed Al-Sheik, was quoted in the American media and Pentagon reports saying that American soldiers stripped him naked and raped him. Yikes! After they posed him in "shameful" positions, he claims the following exchange took place:

"'Are you married?' I said, 'Yes.' They said, 'If your wife saw you like this, she will be disappointed.'"

Well, after seeing the state-of-the-art weight room AND garden, I'm telling everyone I will NOT be disappointed. BCP rules! (My husband's kind of a drama queen. LOL!)”

978 prisoners found this review helpful.


#4.

“Great Stay”

bigboi
“I was a translator for the FBI and then was labeled a terrorist without the burden of a long, boring trial so they (naturally) didn't have my room ready. But I was amazed at how quickly they accommodated me. Full amenities include:

  • working fire extinguishers (they're not just filled with those gag “peanut brittle” snakes anymore!)
  • on-site dark room for staff to develop and post photos within 24 hours
  • phone that rings the front office for in-room torture
  • Engraved ball-point pen for signing confessions under duress
  • automatic extended, "super-late" check-out w/ suspension of habeas corpus
  • noose for convenient self-hanging
  • access to FOX NEWS which helps us to realize the necessity for our being here.”

1,907 prisoners found this review helpful.

#5.

“Perfect for reconnecting!”

Ms. S
“My husband and I were traveling to Saudi Arabia when we were pulled from the plane and sent to the BCP. Def recommend the romance package -- continental breakfast every month (served on the floor -- no messy cleanup!!) and staff poses us in "sexy" positions while taking photographs. Has lowered our inhibitions!“

786 prisoners found this review helpful.

#6.

“Disgrace!”

Donald R.
“There was a time when you could ask staff members to do things to the guests and they'd not only do it, but they'd laugh with you and take photos. Now, you can still do it, but the joy is gone.”

0 prisoners found this review helpful.