Freed from Abu Ghraib

U.S. Marines move to secure the area outside Abu Ghraib prison before buses full of former prisoners exited to the cheers of thousands of Iraqis.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

An Iraqi man fires up a crowd gathered at Abu Ghraib prison before the release of several busloads of prisoners. Across the road from the prison is a makeshift camp where Iraqis press for the release of those still being detained.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

Iraqi women hold photos of loved ones as they wait in front of Abu Ghraib prison on Friday for the release of about 600 prisoners.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

U.S. Marines keep families from approaching several buses as they leave Abu Ghraib prison on Friday during the release of about 600 prisoners. Families waited several hours for the buses.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

A U.S. Marine watches as one of several buses full of freed Iraqi prisoners leaves from Abu Ghraib prison on Friday. The U.S. military released about 600 prisoners.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

An Iraqi woman waits for the release prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison on Friday.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

A freed Iraqi prisoner, with back to camera, is greeted after his release from Abu Ghraib prison on Friday. The man was one of about 600 prisoners released by the U.S. military.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

A freed Iraqi prisoner holds the Koran while being greeted after his release from Abu Ghraib prison on Friday.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

A freed Iraqi prisoner expresses his anger at being held captive inside Abu Ghraib prison after he was released on Friday along with about 600 other detainees. The U.S. has sought to reduce the number of those being held at the prison in the wake of an abuse scandal that has U.S. soldiers facing criminal charges.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)