Gherla Reeducation in Communist Romania

detail icon of new romanian martyr, diaconești monastery, showing tortures @ gherla.

inmates present on list gathered , escorted in prison yard, mr. lazăr tiberiu arranged them in circle, , ordered them speed pace, placing himself in middle. ordered guard fulop martin bring him 2 clubs, used carrying food pails, , started beating inmates: on backs, feet, head, , on. felt further battered , forced , keep running. when mr. lazăr tiberiu dropped club, mr. fulop martin present him other one, prepared this.

the important informants used administration – prisoners play key role in reeducation process @ gherla, did not undergo full pitești ordeal – alexandru matei, octavian grama, constantin p. ionescu , cristian paul Șerbănescu. first pitești group – counting 70–80 reeducated detainees – arrived on 7 june 1950. group contained of prisoners active @ pitești , such recommended gherla proceedings: alexandru popa, vasile pușcașu, constantin bogos, vasile andronache , mihai livinschi. form core of gherla reeducation activity.

before triggering events, several changes made following securitate indications: iacob replaced gheorghe sucigan head of prison operational bureau (ob), , constantin pruteanu appointed deputy. later, pruteanu replaced constantin avădani. warden lazăr replaced captain constantin gheorghiu. although brutal in relations prisoners, lazăr straightforward opponent of violent reeducation, , asked tudor sepeanu written directive regarding initiative, led dismissal. meanwhile, of prisoners transferred pitești , local informant group, ob build strong informant network, controlling prison key positions, workshop leaders penitentiary hospital. end of september 1950, sucigan came bucharest carrying order start unmasking process. tested in solitary room 96, victims being ion bolocan și virgil finghiș. proceedings identical pitești ones: leader of informant network selected , grouped targeted prisoners, , @ same time defined informants infiltrate these groups. guards made repartitions based on direct indications ob. following this, pro-legionnaire environment maintained in order strengthen relations between prisoners. came shock: members of iron guard asked unmask themselves. opposed beaten , tortured until gave in. doctor viorel bărbos , assistant vasile mocodeanu – helped other inmates medical team – ones access victims, treating wounds. moving them prison hospital done if approved ob. denouncements written down in front of leaders of reeducation committee, on pieces of soap or paper bags, adjusted bo officers , afterwards sent bucharest. denouncements not confirmed on field sent prison verification.

detail icon of new romanian martyr, diaconești monastery, showing tortures @ gherla.

tortures varied: detainees forced stay in uncomfortable positions („meditation position”) long periods of time, days on end, sitting hands extended, forced eat hot food without spoon; had drink salty water or made eat feces or vomit , drink urine. during summer, kept goggles on eyes, wearing thick clothes , carrying heavy luggage, without water. tortures meant humiliate, having blow light bulb put out; painted on faces , made dance mockery.

chirică gabor describes ordeal:

after previous beating, 1 day taken in middle of cell 2 more inmates, both painted toothpaste on faces. made kiss each others ass, had finger myself , lick it. then, 2 weeks had long , exhausting physical exercises – every morning , evening – such lunges, squats , rolling on over concrete floor. had lay down on wet floor, wearing shirt, , staring @ light bulb. had in these positions, eating. dared move beaten up. 1 day took me closet , made me clean bare hands; afterwards had eat bread without being allowed wash myself. meanwhile weaved cord out of strings removed sandals , threatened hand me radiator. went staying in painful postures, beat again. beating lasted long body take it; until passed out or started bleed.”

before beatings, prisoners checked medical team, avoid deaths suffered heart related diseases. deaths occurred, doctor forged diagnostics on death certificate, indicating diseases of detainee suffered. suicide attempts occurred well: cut veins sharpened spoons, ion pangrate tried slice throat glass cell window, desperate attempts such jumping head down on cell floor or hot soup cauldron. in gherla penitentiary, violent reeducation held @ third floor, room 99 being main denouncement center (the equivalent of room 4 hospital pitești) while reeducation comities existed in several other prison cells.

a group of approximately 180 prisoners – led eugen Țurcanu – arrived @ gherla on 30 august 1950 , incarcerated in cells 103–106. join prison’s informant network , reeducation apparatus. however, since meanwhile pitești reeducation secret had been revealed , several other problems occurred – such deaths during process – led avădani ordering cessation of action. in reality, not stopped, tempered. in response this, Țurcanu conceived diversion , reeducation plan gherla prison, purpose continue unmasking process, non-violent means. plan had 3 phases:

as usual process, first stage facilitate creation of pro-iron guard group , boosting morale.
the second stage provoke unmasking of group in public gathering, isolate leaders , process them. processing meant confrontation of leaders reeducated group, purpose of changing political orientation.
the third stage consisted in indoctrination of prisoners marxist doctrine via lecturing , conferences.

the plan stopped in december 1951, @ beginning of third stage.

gherla reeducation continued until february 1952, when last isolation rooms dissolved. between 500 , 1000 persons went through process, approximately 20 died result of torture.