DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL LABOR COLONIES OF THE NKVD ADMINISTRATION FOR KEMEROVO REGION: FORMATION DURING WARTIME CONDITIONS

Abstract

This article examines the organizational process of establishing the Department of Correctional Labor Colonies under the NKVD Administration for Kemerovo Region during wartime. It highlights the management's efforts to address related challenges: staffing provision, creating adequate detention conditions for special contingents (including housing, food supply, medical care), and utilizing prisoner labor. The study identifies primary causes of prisoner mortality: critically low food rations, intermittent food supply to certain camp units, and harsh labor conditions. It emphasizes the shortage of qualified personnel to maintain proper living, medical, and other conditions for special contingents, as well as the training of prisoners for industrial tasks. The research underscores the significance of agricultural land leasing and transferring special contingents to state farms for improving food supply to camp units and rehabilitating weakened prisoners. Efforts to enhance prisoners' living conditions are noted, including provisions of bedding and clothing supplies. Particular attention is given to utilizing special contingents as workforce for regional economic development. The study analyzes productivity enhancement methods, including inter-brigade and inter-camp competitions, where victory resulted in improved sanitary conditions or relaxed regimes for prisoners