Facts & Artifacts
Clothing
According to testimonies, there were two types of uniforms used in the former Spaç prison-camp: a brown-coloured uniform and another blue uniform with brown and white stripes, which was used during the summer season. Prisoners were also given two shirts, two pairs of long underwear, footcloths, and one towel. For winter, military greatcoats painted black were provided, four blankets, a straw mattress, two sheets, two pillowcases, and a straw pillow. During the winter season, those isolated in cells were allowed only summer clothing, regardless of temperatures below zero.
Family members of prisoners were allowed to bring only underwear and items of vital necessity, such as prescription glasses, but not sunglasses.
Food
Immediately after arrival in the camp, prisoners were given eating utensils, a bowl and a spoon. Other utensils were brought by family members. Hygiene in the mess hall was completely lacking. Often meals were not well cooked and had dirt. Drinking water was contaminated by underground minerals.
Food was insufficient and, according to testimonies, had gram weights determined separately for those who worked underground, for those who worked on the surface, and for those who did not work due to physical inability and age. Family members were allowed to bring food for their relatives serving sentences, but if meetings were cancelled the food was not received. Also, in the camp there existed another kitchen besides the mess hall where prisoners could cook foods that they bought in the camp store with the little money they managed to earn from work in the gallery.
Violence
When a prisoner did not fulfil the plan or violated the regulations—for example, when he left the work front or possessed prohibited items—he was handcuffed and subjected to physical violence. Other means, such as the rubber baton, the chain, and others, were also used to torture prisoners. Some of the slogans used by prisoners during the revolt are recorded in the official reports of the camp (on the following pages, marked in purple). In order to avoid the tightening of the handcuffs, many prisoners forcefully opened their forearms so that the police officer would not be able to close the irons completely, thus creating a space at the wrists. In this way, the pain caused by the tightening of the handcuffs was avoided. According to witnesses, these types of handcuffs were called German handcuffs and were tightened so strongly that they caused prisoners to faint.
Physical violence in the Spaç prison-camp has been testified by former political prisoners who served sentences there. Among them, the expression used by police officers is testified: “Either the norm, or the soul,” with which prisoners were threatened in order to force them to enter the gallery and fulfil the work norm. The violence exercised by police officers or guards is also evidenced in a document from the archive of the Ministry of the Interior dated 31.03.1980, where physical violence and insults committed by some police officers against political prisoners are discussed.
Instruments of violence. Item from the National Historical Museum.
The flag without the communist star
One of the most climactic moments of the Spaç Revolt was the raising of the flag without the communist star. According to testimonies of former political prisoners to AIDSSH, the flag was raised during the night, at daybreak on 22 May 1973. Mersin Vlashi painted the eagle following the model on a cigarette case. This cigarette case is preserved in the National Historical Museum.
Survival through Art
In order to escape strong physical and psychological pressure, fatigue, mistreatment, and spiritual suffering, prisoners found all possible forms of practising the professions they had before being sentenced, or various handicrafts. The publicist Fatos Lubonja, during his stay in Spaç, wrote on cigarette papers, carved artistic objects from peach pits, and made boxes covered with fruit seeds. These works are part of his personal collection.
In the photograph are writings on cigarette papers and objects carved from peach pits, as well as boxes covered with fruit seeds, made by the publicist Fatos Lubonja during his stay in Spaç. Part of the personal collection of Mr. Lubonja. Photo: D. Zanaliu.
Hygienic and Sanitary Conditions
Based on testimonies of former political prisoners in the Spaç prison-camp, known in the files of the former State Security as “Re-education Unit No. 303”, as well as archival data, life in the camp is reflected with its problems and the difficult, inhuman hygienic-sanitary conditions.
According to a document in Box No. 4, Fond No. 10, File No. 147, Year 1980, there was no sanitary processing room and no autoclave. Each prisoner was allotted 2–3 m³ of air and a courtyard surface of less than 1 m². It was reported that the quantity of water was insufficient because the water supply system was of small capacity and had rusty iron pipes. One water tap corresponded to 70 persons, one shower to 60 persons, and one toilet to 60 persons. Sewage was discharged directly into the stream. There were no regular supplies of medicines or various disinfectants.
The harsh living conditions in Spaç, along with the hygiene and sanitary problems, were among the main factors causing health issues for the prisoners, including various illnesses and cases of poisoning from food or drinking water. A document (Box No. 3, Fund No. 10, File 101, Year 1979), presents information sent to the Police Directorate and the Health Department regarding the occurrence of poisoning among the ranks of the prisoners. “On 17.08.1979, complaints were reported by several prisoners about stomach pain and vomiting, which increased over time. From the medical examinations carried out, it was concluded that the case was caused by water contaminated with rust."
The difficult living conditions in Spaç and the hygienic-sanitary problems were among the main factors that caused health concerns among prisoners, various diseases, and cases of poisoning from food or drinking water. A document (Box No. 3, Fond No. 10, File No. 101, Year 1979) presents information sent to the Directorate of Police and the health branch regarding the occurrence of poisoning among prisoners. “On 17.08.1979, complaints were presented by some prisoners for abdominal pain and vomiting, which increased over time. From the examinations carried out by the doctor, it was concluded that the case was caused by rusty water.”
From testimonies of former political prisoners in the Spaç prison-camp to AIDSSH, the drinking water and the water used in cooking was acidic because it was contaminated by the galleries. Two days before the revolt began, channels were being opened to bring drinking water.
In information sent to the Economic Directorate of Unit 321 Burrel (Box No. 3, Fond No. 10, File No. 98, Year 1979) regarding prisoners’ complaints about living and health conditions, the lack of a doctor and the urgent need for supplies of medicines for rheumatic diseases, stomach, eye, and ear diseases are highlighted.In another document (Box No. 6, Fond No. 10, File No. 216, Year 1982), the appearance in the camp of parasites and bedbugs is reflected, which constitutes evidence of the lack of hygienic-sanitary conditions and disinfectants. According to the above-mentioned file, regarding dental services in the unit, there was a dental clinic for prisoners, but without supplies of materials for therapy and prostheses or other necessary medicines.
The Spaç prison-camp had an infirmary intended to meet all health needs of the camp; however, referring to periods when the number of sick prisoners was high—those injured in accidents, those with colds, those poisoned by food or gases underground in the galleries, prisoners with chronic diseases, as well as many other health concerns—the infirmary did not meet even the most minimal needs of prisoners (Box No. 5, Fond No. 10, File No. 252, Year 1983).
According to testimonies, in the years 1968–1971, there were four dormitories in Spaç, which were single-storey barracks made of pupulit. Later, three-storey dormitories were built in the camp, where 35 to 50 prisoners slept in each room. In the early years of the camp’s operation, the toilets consisted of a large rectangular barrack built of sheet metal and boards, with a roof made of asbestos-cement sheets. The showers were located opposite the toilets.
