Penal reformers, as well as the government's chief prison inspector, were opposed, arguing that big prisons in other countries have proved ungovernable and bad at getting prisoners back on the straight and narrow.
"Getting prisoners out of Gitmo – any prisoners – just ask President Obama, that's just not easy," Koenig said.
Every Chinese official I spoke to described Kamm's motives this way: he was not focused on getting prisoners released; he was promoting United States-China understanding.
But the White House might be reluctant to give up the accused agents, who were the targets of a decade-long F.B.I. investigation, without getting prisoners that the United States valued in return.
Priorities for staff were getting prisoners to court on time, with little emphasis on ensuring that those detained did not spend long periods in court cells after their appearance.
They're often used in official or unofficial brokerage roles, for example getting prisoners to end dirty protests, while the faith-specific element allows prisoners to fulfill their right to practice their religion".
