Prisoner functionaries

In Nazi concentration and labor camps the system of Funktionshäftlinge (singular: Funktionshäftling), or prisoner functionaries was developed. These were the prisoners with certain duties of supervision of over fellow prisoners assisting the camp administration and guards (SS-Totenkopfverbände), in exchange for various privileges.[1] These should be distinguished from various work units known as Sonderkommando (not to be confused with theSS-Sonderkommandos. Of these, best known are Kapos.

The system was introduced in early Nazi camps of 1933-1934.[2] Estimated 10% of the Nazi camp population were Funktionshäftlinge.[3]

The position of Funktionshäftlinge was controversial in two respects. Their life was easier, but they were hated by others. Also they were also split between good and evil: some of them were true agents of the SS or enjoyed the vested power, while others used their position to help the survival of (at least some) other prisoners.

  1. ^ The System of Prisoner Functionaries
  2. ^ White 2009, p. 10.
  3. ^ Yizhak Ahren,Überlebt weil schuldig - schuldig weil überlebt, a review of the book Opfer und Täter zugleich? by Revital Ludewig-Kedmi