How did the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal become known and what was the immediate result?

Charles Graner would become de facto head of operations to "soften up" the prisoners at Abu Ghraib for interrogation, a sort of torturer in chief. The compartmentalized nature of the interrogations and torture and gradual desensitization were the primary reasons that the other soldiers at Abu Ghraib turned a blind eye to the proceedings. The majority of the abuse at Abu Ghraib could be blamed on only a few soldiers and at the orders of another small group of Military Intelligence or OGA operatives; there was always someone else to blame and the the abuse of prisoners became trivial. Furthermore, the MPs at Abu Ghraib were able to labor under the false premise that the inmates handled in this fashion were terrorists and American-killing insurgents.

On November 24, 2003 a riot broke out at Abu Ghraib. Three detainees were killed, another nine were injured and nine MPs were also injured. Once the riot had been contained, the MPs began "softening up" the prisoners for a presumable interrogation, regarding the riot. The detainees (prisoners) were forced into human pyramids and poses of simulated fellatio; pictures were taken, pictures that would cause shock, horror and embarrassment to the United States at large.It was at the end of the year in 2003 when Corporal Charles Graner was promoted to Sergeant, as if condoning some of the worst abuses that occurred at the Hard Site at Abu Ghraib.

As unethical as the treatment of the Hard Site's detainees was by the MPs, much worse occurred in the interrogation rooms. Beatings occurred in the interrogation rooms with some frequency, with some of the interrogation sessions resulting in death for the detainees. At least one death, that of Manadel al-Jamadi, was ruled a homicide These beaten prisoners were often denied access to medical personnel. It is unclear at this time how many prisoners died as a result of the interrogations