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Carolyn Wood




Captain Carolyn Wood, United States Army , is a Military Intelligence officer who served in both Afghanistan and Iraq , and who was centrally involved in the 2003 Abu Ghraib and 2002 Bagram prisoner abuse cases. Wood served ten years as an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, before being commissioned as an officer.


CHILDHOOD, EDUCATION AND MILITARY CAREER



CONTROVERSIES


Bagram Abuse controversy, December 2002

In July 2002 Wood was in command of about 20 analysts and interrogators in the intelligence unit located at Bagram Collection Point . To address concerns that too many soldiers were being killed during the conflict, she expanded the interrogation procedures with the use of stress positions, isolation for up to thirty days, removal of clothing, and exploitation of detainees' phobias, such as the use of barking dogs.

Two prisoners, '', March 26 , 2005 These strikes are used in civilian law enforcement but were later determined to not be part of Army doctrine. Their arguments failed to exonerate them but was readily accepted by critics and opponents of the U.S. side in the War On Terror .

Many of the enhanced interrogation procedures, such as the use of barking dogs, were later overturned after review by Military Lawyers . The practice of shackling a captive's hands above their heads was classified as Criminal Assault .


Invoked her right to protection against self-incrimination


Wood was called as a witness during the '', March 26 2005
But, on legal advice, Wood invoked her right to protection against self-incrimination.

The Arizone Star Daily quoted speculation over Wood's role, addressing the concern that Wood had been unaware of the most extreme abuse of her subordinates, and addressing the concern that Wood had merely passed on authorization for the abuse from more senior officers.[http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/news/67450.php Fort Huachuca officer criticized in Army probe: Reservist testifies physical blows a common compliance technique], '' Arizona Daily Star '', March 26 2005


Abu Ghraib Abuse controversy, August-December 2003

Wood arrived in Abu Ghraib in August 4 , 2003 .
AR 15-6 Investigation of the Abu Ghraib Detention Facility and 205th Military Intelligence Brigade (.pdf) , the '' Fay Report '', page 74, paragraph 1.
Wood took the initiative to recommend the establishment of the "hard site" -- based on her experience in Afghanistan.
AR 15-6 Investigation of the Abu Ghraib Detention Facility and 205th Military Intelligence Brigade (.pdf) , the '' Fay Report '', page 68, paragraph 3.
The "hard site" was the location of the most infamous abuse. The "hard site" was opened on August 25 , 2003 .

Wood testified in the pretrial hearing against Lynndie England that she was shocked, disappointed and outraged by the conduct - which, she says, went far beyond the intelligence orders she had given to the MPs at Abu Ghraib.
Superior Orders: Will the Defense Work for PFC Lynndie England: Who Is Accused of Abusing Abu Ghraib Prisoners? , '' Findlaw '', August 10 2004

Wood played a key role in drafting the interrogation rules, the Interrogation Rules Of Engagement , that were issued from General Ricardo Sanchez 's office on September 14 , 2003.
[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-05-20-interrogatin-rules_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA Sanchez says he never saw rules for interrogation], '' USA Today '', May 20 2004
ISTF Final Report , '' The Church Report ''
'They said this is America . . . if a soldier orders you to take off your clothes, you must obey' , '' The Guardian '', June 23 2004

Sanchez's office issued new Interrogation Rules of Engagement, on legal advice that the originals could lead to violations of the Geneva Conventions. However an Army inquiry
concluded that under Captain Wood's leadership, abusive interrogation techniques continued to be used.
AR 15-6 Investigation of the Abu Ghraib Detention Facility and 205th Military Intelligence Brigade (.pdf) , the '' Fay Report '', page 62-63, paragraphs 15, 16 and 17.

In testimony before the US Senate Armed Services Committee:
:''Army Col. Marc Warren, a U.S. military lawyer, told the committee that Woods, who is a military intelligence officer, developed the list of techniques after researching methods "used by interrogators in other places," or described in "any document that we could find" on Army interrogation rules. Warren conceded that the methods Woods came up with, if used in certain combinations, "may very well ... violate the Geneva Conventions."


Findings of the Fay/Jones Report

The Fay/Jones Report 's final mention of Wood contained the following findings:
AR 15-6 Investigation of the Abu Ghraib Detention Facility and 205th Military Intelligence Brigade (.pdf) , the '' Fay Report '', page 152 -- Findings
:''Finding: CPT Carolyn A. Wood, Officer in Charge, Interrogation Control Element (ICE), Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center, 519 MI BDE A preponderance of evidence supports that CPT Wood failed to do the following:

  • ''Failed to implement the necessary checks and balances to detect and prevent detainee abuse. Given her knowledge of prior abuse in Afghanistan, as well as the reported sexual assault of a female detainee by three 519 MI BN Soldiers working in the ICE, CPT Wood should have been aware of the potential for detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib. As the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) she was in a position to take steps to prevent further abuse. Her failure to do so allowed the abuse by Soldiers and civilians to undetected and unchecked.

  • ''Failed to assist in gaining control of a chaotic situation during the IP Roundup, even after SGT Eckroth approached her for help.

  • ''Failed to provide proper supervision. Should have been more alert due to the following incidents:

  • ''An ongoing investigation on the 519 MI BN in Afghanistan.

  • ''Prior reports of 519 MI BN interrogators conducting unauthorized interrogations.

  • ''SOLDIER29's reported use of nudity and humiliation techniques.

  • ''Quick Reaction Force (QRF) allegations of detainee abuse by 519th MI Soldiers.

  • ''Failed to properly review interrogations plans which clearly specified the improper use of nudity and isolation in interrogations and as punishment.

  • ''Failed to ensure that Soldiers were properly trained on interrogation techniques and operations.

  • ''Failed to adequately train Soldiers and civilians on the ICRP.


:''Recommendation: This information should be forwarded to CPT Wood’s chain of command for appropriate action.''


MILITARY CAREER

Very little is known about the rest of Wood's military career.

Captain Wood was awarded two Bronze Star s for the services she provided in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to a CBC documentary on Abu Ghraib a Bronze Star awarded to Wood following the deaths in custody was awarded "for valor".
[http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/badapples/index.html A few bad apples?], '' CBC '', November 16 , 2005

According to an article published in The Guardian on June 23 2004 , six months after her withdrawal from Abu Ghraib Wood was taking an advanced interrogation course at Fort Huachuca , the Army's primary intelligence training centre.this text is supposed to be ignored...
The Guardian reported that although Wood hadn't been charged she had been allocated a military lawyer.

According to the Arizona Daily Star on March 26 2005 Wood was still stationed at Fort Huachuca.
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/news/67450.php Fort Huachuca officer criticized in Army probe: Reservist testifies physical blows a common compliance technique], '' Arizona Daily Star '', March 26 2005

According to the CBC Carolyn Wood was only a First Lieutenant when her company was sent to Bagram, and that her second Bronze Star was awarded to after her return from Abu Ghraib.this text is supposed to be ignored... The CBC said, on November 16 2005 that Wood was still an interrogation instructor at the Army's Military Intelligence instruction centre at Fort Huachuca .


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