New exhibition on the history of the Cottbus prison

Remembrance of the Nazi era - New exhibition on the history of the Cottbus prison

The Human Rights Center Cottbus at the former prison of the city has revised its permanent exhibition on the history of the penitentiary between 1933 and 1945. Culture minister Claudia Roth (Greens) attended the opening, who was shown the site by Heide Schinowsky, the director of the Cottbus Memorial Prison.

The Human Rights Center Cottbus was founded by former political prisoners of the GDR in 2007, who became the owners of the property, which was used as a prison from 1860 to 2002. The Memorial Prison Cottbus deals with political injustice during the National Socialist terror regime and the SED dictatorship. Permanent and special exhibitions show examples of political injustice from both German dictatorships of the 20th century.

Selected Biographies of Inmates

The revised exhibition, according to the Human Rights Center, tells the story of the Cottbus penal system from 1933 to 1945 based on selected biographies of inmates. This includes the Youth Prison (until 1936), the Women's Prison (1937/38), and finally the Women's Penitentiary (1939-45). The historical site remembers the victims of National Socialist persecution.

The penal system in Cottbus between 1933 and 1945 will be presented based on the latest research findings and own research, it was stated. This includes the composition of the inmate population, the living conditions of the prisoners, the growing importance of labor in prison, the staff, and the role of the penal system in the political justice system.

1. Claudia Roth commended the Human Rights Center Cottbus for its commitment to ensuring history never repeats itself, particularly in relation to the atrocities of National Socialism.
2. The revised exhibition at the Human Rights Center Museum includes a section dedicated to the role of prisons during the GDR era, providing a comprehensive view of political injustice in both German dictatorships.
3. Heide Schinowsky mentioned that the GDR's Memorial Prison Cottbus aims to create a permanent memory site, offering a solemn reminder of the dark chapters of Germany's history, including the Brandenburg Correctional Facility in the 1970s and 1980s.
4. The Human Rights Center Cottbus hopes to engage visitors in meaningful dialogue on human rights, utilizing exhibitions on topics like the residential school system, sexual harassment, and racism, as well as historical examples of injustice.
5. The public is invited to visit the Memorial Prison Cottbus and its revised exhibitions, which will allow them to reflect on Germany's history and advance the cause of justice, thus contributing to a more united, democratic society.
6. In her opening remarks, Claudia Roth emphasized the importance of involving local schools in education about the past, encouraging the youth of Cottbus to learn from these dark chapters and promote a culture of peace and tolerance.
7. The revised permanent exhibition at the Human Rights Center Cottbus will feature a series of interactive exhibits, including a self-guided audio tour and an interactive timeline, allowing visitors to better understand Germany's complex and controversial history, from the rise of National Socialism to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

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