Blockältester

Blockältester, literally "block elder," was an inmate functionary in Nazi concentration camps responsible for a single block (Lagerblock). The position was not an SS rank but a role within the camp’s inmate hierarchy, typically filled by prisoners selected by the camp administration. The Blockältester acted as the main liaison between the inmates of the block and the camp guards, coordinating daily routines such as roll calls, work assignments, and the distribution of rations.

Primary duties included maintaining order within the block, enforcing camp rules, and supervising subordinate inmate staff or Kapos. The Blockältester relayed orders from the guards or higher inmate authorities, helped organize punishments for infractions, and contributed to the control of contraband and the overall discipline of the block. The role could involve organizing or carrying out internal disciplinary measures and ensuring compliance with camp procedures.

The position carried both privileges and risks. While it could bring certain advantages within the camp’s internal system, it also placed the individual under intense pressure and made them a potential target for punishment or coercion by SS staff. Some Blockälteste participated in abuses or enforced orders as required by the camp hierarchy, illustrating the complex and coercive nature of inmate social structures in the camps.

Blockältester roles appeared across various camps and are discussed in scholarly works on prisoner hierarchy and daily life in Nazi detention systems. See also Lagerältester, Blockführer, Kapo.