Marines change commander at facility where WikiLeaks suspect held

By Chris Lawrence, CNN

January 26, 2011 2:58 p.m. EST

Pfc. Bradley Manning 's attorney has complained that Manning is being unfairly treated in detention.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Change of commander is not in response to complaint, Marines contend
• Complaint was filed after Manning was put on suicide watch
• He has been moved back to Prevention of Injury status

Washington (CNN) -- The Marines have changed the commander in charge of the detention facilities at Quantico, Virginia, days after the attorney for WikiLeaks suspect PFC Bradley Manning filed a complaint that he is being unfairly treated in detention.

Chief Warrant Officer Denise Barnes replaced Cmdr. James Averhart on Monday, said Quantico spokesman Lt. Brian Villiard said.

The change in command was ordered back in October and is not related to the concerns raised by Manning's lawyer, said Villiard. But Manning's lawyer is holding out hope that the new commander will move his client to a less restrictive incarceration status.

"We are hopeful that she will do a complete review of PFC Manning" and his custody situation, Manning's lawyer David Coombs told CNN. Manning's current situation "is unwarranted and unnecessary while he awaits trial."

The military has staunchly defended Manning's incarceration status. He is currently on Prevention of Injury status, but last week he was put on suicide watch. Manning's lawyer formally objected to his change of status, filing an Article 138 complaint.

"He was stripped of all clothing with the exception of his underwear. His prescription eyeglasses were taken away from him," Coombs wrote in a blog entry about the complaint filing. "He was forced to sit in essential blindness with the exception of the times that he was reading or given limited television privileges. During those times, his glasses were returned to him."

Manning was taken off suicide watch after 2 1/2 days, following a review of the situation by the Army Staff Judge Advocate's Office. The Marines spokesman insists the commander was within his rights, but would not say why Manning's status had been changed.

"The brig commander has the ultimate responsibility to determine what status a detainee is given. He based the decision on information from psychological professionals, the medical staff and the Marine guards who are interacting with him around the clock. The commander was absolutely within his right. Not just his right, his responsibility," said Villiard.

The less restrictive condition, Prevention of Injury Watch, means Manning is confined to his cell 23 hours a day with no pillow, sheets or personal items. His only exercise is when he is taken to an empty room, according to his lawyer, and allowed to walk. When he sleeps he must strip to his underwear and surrender his clothing to the guards.

But Coombs said the military psychiatrist involved has consistently recommended putting Manning in even less stringent conditions, adding there was no reason to keep him on Prevention of Injury Watch.

The forensic psychiatrist will meet with Manning this week, Villiard said, and make a recommendation to the Classification and Assignment Board, which will then advise Barnes whether Manning should stay on POI. She has the final say on whether Manning comes off POI or goes into another custody level like a less stringent medium custody, Villiard explained