Rough blankets, U.N. investigation for alleged leaker

Quantico, Va. –– The soldier accused of leaking secret documents from the U.S. Government to Wiki Leaks says the blankets in his jail cell are uncomfortable.

Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, who’s being held in solitary confinement at Quantico and faces 52 years in prison if convicted for violating the military’s security code, allegedly released a video showing soldiers shooting and killing unarmed Iraqi citizens and journalists.

Since last week, debate has increased as to whether the treatment Bradley is receiving at Quantico – confined to a cell for more than 20 hours a day, little exercise or human contact – is inhumane.

Now the United Nations is investigating.

A computer programmer from Boston, one of the few who have been allowed inside the brig to speak with Manning, said the blankets the prisoner is forced to sleep with are similar to lead aprons used in X-Ray facilities, and feel like stiff carpet.

There are 20,000 people in the U.S. being held in solitary confinement, according to Gawker. Manning’s case is just one of many the U.N. is investigating.

A handful of demonstrators appeared in September, in Quantico Town, to show their support of the jailed soldier and to urge officials to release him.

The demonstration failed to attract the number of onlookers organizers had hoped it would, but the protest did cost the town $2,400 in overtime pay for police officers who were posted on the scene.

Organizers said they were not in a position to help offset some of the costs.