Context Reeducation in Communist Romania

in march 1949, operational service (os) constituted, being first designation of prison security (securitate), on initiative of gheorghe pintilie, head of securitate. first commander iosif nemeș. operational service subordinated securitate, , not general penitenciary directorate(gpd). gpd handling administrative responsibilities, under direct watch of securitate, while os responsible gathering intelligence political prisoners. after entire intelligence structure completed, information flow follows: once retrieved informants, reached political officer of incarceration unit, handed them head of os. data analyzed , summary, original files, handed on securitate.

after installment of communist regime, prison system went through transition period. 1947, detention regime rather light, political prisoners entitled receive home packages, books, granted access discuss family , organize cultural events. gradually, securitate harshened conditions, entire mechanism has grown become more solid. old guards replaced new ones, adapted new society, detention regime got rougher, beatings , torture during inquiry became current practice, mock trials.

inquiries started there, @ suceava – mentioned – in hellish environment; not rest @ night because of beaten women screaming, inquired; screams of tortured, brought unconscious in cell, livid, shattered soles. infernal!

at first, main target during investigation iron guard members , former historical parties. later, joined opposed collectivization, tried illegally cross border, members of resistance and, generally, opposers of regime, in nonviolent ways. communist regime did not consider imprisonment form of penitence, method of elimination social , political life, and, eventually, political reeducation environment.