"Guantanamo allows us to secure dangerous detainees without the risk of escape, while at the same time providing us with valuable intelligence information on how best to proceed in the war against terror and prevent future attacks"

Jim Ryun's statement articulates a twofold justification for the continued operation of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. He emphasizes its perceived effectiveness as a high-security containment site for individuals considered dangerous, suggesting that its isolated and fortified location minimizes the likelihood of escape, thereby protecting the general populace. By housing these detainees far removed from the mainland United States and conventional legal systems, the risks associated with prison breaks or unlawful releases are greatly reduced. This functional role also implicitly speaks to the government’s commitment to national security and preventative action against those suspected of terrorist involvement.

Additionally, Ryun identifies the intelligence-gathering potential derived from detaining suspects at Guantanamo. The facility is portrayed not just as a holding center but as an important node in the broader counterterrorism strategy. Detainees, many captured amid international or battlefield contexts, may possess critical knowledge about terrorist networks, operational methods, or future plots. Through interrogation and analysis of obtained information, authorities aim to uncover actionable intelligence believed essential for disrupting ongoing or planned threats. The value placed on such intelligence reinforces a preventive mindset, using information gleaned from detainees not only to understand the workings of terrorist organizations but also to formulate more effective tactics and policies for prosecuting the wider ‘war on terror.’

Ryun's perspective echoes a stance often taken during the post-9/11 era: prioritizing security and pre-emption over civil liberties, legal norms, or the traditional criminal justice process. The underlying argument suggests a trade-off, wherein exceptional measures, including indefinite detention and unconventional interrogative practices, are warranted by the promise of safety and the chance to thwart future attacks. While this justification is controversial, particularly concerning human rights and legal due process, Ryun’s articulation attempts to convey Guantanamo as indispensable, to both containment of high-risk individuals and proactive intelligence operations designed to safeguard national and global security.