Figure 6-1. Sample 500-Man Enclosure With One Compound
The TO commander is responsible for EPW/CI operations, and he provides engineer and logistical support for the MP commander to establish and maintain I/R facilities. Facility construction is included in the planning phase of an operation, and MP leaders take part in the planning process. Planning, coordinating, and establishing facilities begins during the build-up phase of an operation. Each facility provides appropriate segregation, accountability, security, and support of internees. An I/R facility is semipermanent in nature and normally consists of one to eight compounds, each capable of interning 500 people. (Appendix D provides a synopsis of the various MP I/R units that may be assigned to a TO.)
Is there a threat of guerrilla activity in the area?
What is the attitude of the local population?
What classification of internees will be housed at the site?
What type of terrain surrounds the site, and will it help or hinder escapes?
What is the distance from the MSR to the source of logistical support?
What transportation methods are required and available to move internees, supplies, and equipment?
Proximity to probable target areas.
Availability of suitable existing facilities (avoids unnecessary construction).
Presence of swamps, mosquitoes, and other factors (including water drainage) that affect human health.
Existence of an adequate, satisfactory source of potable water. The supply should meet the demands for consumption, food sanitation, personal hygiene, and sewage disposal.
Availability of electricity. Portable generators can be used as standby and emergency sources of electricity.
Distance to work if internees are employed outside the facility.
Anticipated permanency of the facility.
Number of facilities to be established.
Availability of labor and materials.
Conditions under which the detaining power billets its forces in the same area.
6-6. The Engineer Corps' Theater Construction Management System (TCMS) contains basic plans, specifications, and material requirements for I/R facilities based on the anticipated internee population. The plans can be easily modified for temperate, frigid, tropic, and desert climates. The TCMS also provides specifications and material requirements for the facilities when dimension and/or population requirements are supplied.
Guard towers. Locate guard towers on the perimeter of each facility. Place them immediately outside the wall or, in case of double fencing, where they permit an unobstructed view of the lane between the fences. The space between towers must allow overlapping observation and fields of fire. During adverse weather, it may be necessary to augment security by placing fixed guard posts between towers on the outside of the fence. Ensure that towers are high enough to permit an unobstructed view of the compound and low enough to permit an adequate field of fire. Tower platforms should have retractable ladders and be wide enough to mount crew-served weapons.
Lights. Provide adequate lighting, especially around compound perimeters. Illuminating walls and fences discourages escapes, and illuminating inner strategic points expedites the handling of problems caused by internees. Protect lights from breakage with an unbreakable-glass shield or a wire mesh screen. Ensure that lights on walls and fences do not interfere with guards' vision. Provide secondary emergency lighting.
Patrol roads. Construct patrol roads for vehicle and foot patrols. They should be adjacent to outside perimeter fences or walls.
Sally ports. A sally port (a series of gates) is required to search vehicles and personnel entering or leaving the main compound. Consider placing a sally port at the back entrance to the facility.
Communications. Ensure that communication between towers and operation headquarters is reliable. Telephones are the preferred method; however, ensure that alternate forms of communication (radio and visual or sound signals) are available in case telephones are inoperable.
Kitchen facilities (may include providing internees with culinary equipment and provisions or using military cooks).
Figure 6-1. Sample 500-Man Enclosure With One Compound
Religious and educational buildings.
A dispensary and an infirmary to treat minor illnesses and injuries.
A supply building for storage and issue of expendable supplies.
Figure 6-2. Sample Processing Center (Theater)
Figure 6-3. Sample Processing Center with Internment Capability
6-12. The prescribed standards of treatment and care place a great demand on the logistical system. When possible, use captured supplies and equipment and ensure that internees wear captured clothing. Properly secure and account for all supplies and equipment to avoid exploitation by internees.
6-14. If dining facilities are unavailable, feed internees MREs. They can be stored easily and require no additional dietary supplements. If fresh fruits and vegetables are available, substitute them for nonperishable items. Consider the habitual diet of internees, and allow them to prepare their own meals under the supervision of US personnel (see AR 190-8). Ensure that internees do not stockpile rations to use for escapes.
6-15. Food service equipment requirements vary depending on internees' habitual diets and customs. The commander may authorize local procurement of cooking equipment instead of requiring internees to use standard-issue kitchen equipment. One food operations sergeant and one first cook will be assigned to each 19547AB MP detachment (I/R) (EPW/CI). Food service personnel train and supervise selected internees to perform food service operations.
Teaching food sanitation procedures and ensuring that they are observed and practiced.
Disposing of human waste properly to protect the health of everyone associated with the facility according to the guidelines established by PVNTMED.