From one of the torture memos released today:
Sleep deprivation may be used. You have indicated that your purpose in using this technique is to reduce the individual's ability to think on his feet and, through the discomfort associated with lack of sleep, to motivate him to cooperate. The effect of such sleep deprivation will generally remit after one or two nights of uninterrupted sleep. You have informed us that your research has revealed that, in rare instances, some individuals who are already predisposed to psychological problems may experience abnormal reactions to sleep deprivation.[snip]
You have orally informed us that you would not deprive Zubaydah of sleep for more than eleven days at a time and that you have previously kept him awake for 72 hours, from which no mental or physical harm resulted.
So as long as you keep it under 11 consecutive days, no sweat. Don't you dare call that torture.
Josh Marshall has all of them, and they're horrific. The people who wrote these and the people who authorized them should be prosecuted.
Posted by Linkmeister at April 16, 2009 02:36 PM | TrackBack