Remote Facility in Iraq Shows New Face of U.S. Prison System

"We come down here, we do what we have to do," said Spec. Douglas Kocian, a tower guard from the 107th Field Artillery Regiment based in Pittsburgh. "Nobody wants to be here, but I think everybody is coping with it the best they can. It's not exciting. I'm not saying I'm the happiest camper, but my wife isn't happy, either."

On a recent morning, Kocian watched from the guard tower as prisoners below lined up for medical call.

Some wore tribal dress, others pants and loose shirts. A few were wrapped only in towels as they scurried to the shower house set up inside the compound.

"We all recognize we could be in a lot worse places in Iraq," said Capt. Erik Fessenden, commander of Marauder Company, 172nd Field Artillery, based in Manchester, N.H.

Fessenden's company came to Camp Bucca in late February. Its 178 members serve as exterior guards for the camp and as convoy escorts.

"We're stretched thin -- long, 12-hour shifts -- and the weather conditions, you can see the blowing sand," he said. "There have been some long days."

Fessenden said he had little to tell his soldiers about what was coming next.

"I think there are still a lot of unknowns for exactly how things will flush out," he said. "The plans have changed. I don't think a lot of people can tell you. We're preparing for things to get more dangerous down here and more heat.

"But it's difficult to predict where it's going, to be honest with you."