Sinks were found at the end of the rectangular barracks that served as a toilet, along with the entrance.To go there, you had to pass the doorless toilets and showers, while other prisoners could be using them.The sink was a common one for everyone, made of cement in the shape of a long washtub, over and parallel to which a water pipe was installed with several consecutive holes out of which cold water ran and poured on the washtub.That’s where prisoners washed their faces, or even feet.There was never any hot water.
Afternoon at the camp for first-shift prisoners continued after roll call with what was called ideological education. In the camp library, the literature and press of the Labor Party of Albania was read. We learn from many testimonies that this process started from 05:10 pm to 7:30 pm. For the prisoners of conscience, this was another form of psychological violence.
Departure to the mine for the first shift began at 6:30, after a head count was done by police at the camp’s exit gate, somewhere next to the sleeping area, where prisoners would line up, often irregularly, and meandered down to the mine areas where their brigade was assigned.Brigades were divided according to the intake of camp prisoners.In certain periods during Spaç Camp’s operation, there were 50 prisoners per brigades; sometimes the number would reach 65 prisoners.They would follow the path to the tunnel’s entrance where they were assigned.
Meeting the rates was often impossible. Few prisoners could physically handle that titanic load at work. In many cases during the cave-ins in the tunnel, there was not enough mineral to fill seven wagons. But prison command never accepted any justification for not meeting the rate. The most common expression of officers in Spaç was “Either your plan (target) or your soul”, which implied that death awaited all those who didn’t give the regime whatever was required at all costs.
Spaç Prison Camp had an infirmary with eight beds. This infirmary was designed to meet all of the camp’s health needs. But referring to some periods of high intake of patients (wounded in accidents, with a cold, poisoning from food or underground gases in tunnels, chronic diseases or many other health concerns), the infirmary didn’t meet even the most minimal needs of prisoners.
The smith’s was a small 3x3m structure. The smith prepared the work tools prisoners used, such as pickaxes, axes, etc. Many prisoners respectfully recall the work of QazimVula, a great smith and great ally to them, as his very work helped them in the difficult work processes at the tunnel.