US Army invites press to Manning prison

Friday, April 29, 2011
US Army invites press to Manning prison
Looking to quash complaints about the treatment of Pfc. Bradley Manning, Army officials are inviting reporters to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to visit the military prison where the man accused of sharing classified documents with WikiLeaks is being held. Military officials are eager to show that Manning is being treated well at the medium-security prison as he continues to be held for pretrial evaluation, Army spokesman Col. Tom Collins said. Manning is awaiting the Army’s decision on whether he’s mentally competent to stand trial on nearly two dozen charges, including aiding the enemy, which can come with a life sentence or even death penalty. Opponents say putting him in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day and requiring him to sleep in a suicide-proof smock and strip nude to be inspected by prison guards is inhumane treatment. But the Obama administration contends that Manning has been treated fairly. Kevin Zeese, an organizer of the Bradley Manning Support Network, responded to the Army’s plan for a press tour that while it’s “an effort to relieve the pressure,” his group “will not let up until Manning is treated properly.” (Politico.com)