More than 50 Bates College faculty members – nearly a quarter of the school’s teaching staff – are asking the state’s congressional delegation to ensure a deeper investigation into abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

In a three-paragraph letter addressed to Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud and Tom Allen, the faculty members urge a congressional investigation, a public release of information and punishment for those responsible for the abuse.

“Blame for these events cannot and should not be limited to a few enlisted men and women,” the letter stated.

Rachel Austin, an associate chemistry professor, wrote the letter weeks after the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal broke.

“It wasn’t about politics. It’s about what it means to be human,” she said. “I just felt like I had to say something.”

Austin e-mailed colleagues in May about the letter, offering the opportunity to add their signatures. Fifty-six people agreed, including professors, lecturers and the college chaplain.

“As educators, I think we do have a responsibility to speak up in times of crisis,” Austin said.

One guilty plea

The scandal broke in April after news organizations published photos of prisoners being degraded and abused by American soldiers. Since then, the military and the Senate’s Armed Services Committee have begun investigations, and House Democrats have called for their own inquiry. Last month, one soldier pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year in prison for his role in the abuse. Other military police officers have been charged.

A military judge earlier this week called Abu Ghraib a crime scene and ordered the government to keep the prison intact.

But Joe Hall, an assistant history professor at Bates, said he believes the government isn’t doing enough to get to the root of the prison situation. He signed the letter soon after he received Austin’s e-mail.

“It seems to me they’re just sort of picking at the edges right now,” he said.

The pictures of Abu Ghraib, he said, are “speaking far more loudly than what the United States is responding with.”

The letters were sent to Snowe, Collins, Michaud and Allen about two weeks ago, Austin said. Allen and Michaud received their letters this week. Both said they were outraged by the prisoner abuse, and both said they have called for deeper investigation.

Allen said he planned to respond to every person who signed the letter.

Snowe and Collins had not yet received the letter. Mail to senators and House members is often delayed for weeks as it is irradiated to ease anthrax concerns.

Austin said she believes Maine’s delegates will push for the truth about Abu Ghraib. She hopes the letter shows them they have support as they do.

“We’re just asking them to be persistent, to be independent,” she said.

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