Exhibition on the History of Repressive Correctional Facilities in the GDR
The Closed Youth Disciplinary Centre in Torgau was the only closed correctional facility in the GDR. Adolescents were subjected to prison-like conditions here in an attempt to re-educate them into becoming “socialist individuals” in a matter of months. The memorial is now a nationwide symbol for the entire inhumane criminal system of youth disciplinary centres and special children’s homes that around 135,000 children were subjected to throughout the history of the GDR. It documents the history of repressive correctional facilities in the GDR in memory of the young victims of socialist re-educational practices. Traces of history can be found in the former dark cell block and courtyard area.