Issue Brief: The Cost of the Guantanamo Bay Prison

The prison at Guantanamo Bay, which now holds 40 detainees, is vastly more expensive to operate than the equivalent federal prisons. Indeed, it’s come to be called “the most expensive prison on earth.” Meanwhile, operating the Guantanamo military commissions, which have proven highly inefficient, is also much more expensive than conducting terrorism cases in federal courts. Keeping the prison open and trying military commission cases at the U.S. naval base in Cuba is a waste of valuable resources. This is fiscally irresponsible at a time when important programs for soldiers and veterans, and support for military functions, are being reduced due to lack of funding.