A charity program has provided a rare glimpse into the lives of the final 15 prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, becoming a visual record of America’s long-standing war-on-terror detention operation. The collaboration involves detainees, the U.S. military, and the International Committee of the Red Cross at the naval base in Cuba, where prisoners have been held since 2002.
Media access to the prison has been restricted since 2019, making these portraits the only recent images available from inside the facility. The detainees pose voluntarily for photographs taken by Red Cross representatives or military photographers, with the images reviewed for security concerns before being shared with families through the Red Cross.
The initiative allowing photographs began in 2009 when there were around 240 prisoners at the site. The portraits show the men in civilian or traditional clothing, seated on prayer rugs or against makeshift backdrops. Former detainees have expressed that these photos provide reassurance to their families, many of whom believed they were dead.
Among the latest images are those of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, and his nephew Ammar al-Baluchi, who is accused of assisting in the plot. These photographs serve as a visual representation and communication tool for families who have been separated from their loved ones for years.
The program has also captured images of Abu Zubaydah, the first person to be waterboarded by the C.I.A. operatives. In a 2024 portrait, he is seen wearing a navy blazer and civilian clothes, highlighting the accommodations provided to detainees not convicted of crimes.
The use of cells as improvised studios for these portraits marks a significant shift from the initial images released in 2002, showing hooded prisoners in cages. Former detainee Sufyian Barhoumi shared that prisoners work to project calm in these photographs, knowing that it brings comfort to their families.
While these portraits offer a glimpse into the lives of the detainees, they also underscore the control exerted by the military over their daily existence. As the program continues to document the changing faces of the prisoners, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of America’s war-on-terror detention operation.
