Prisog

Prisog is a term used in the context of the Soviet Union and its satellite states to refer to a system of forced labor camps established in the late 1930s. The term is derived from the Russian words "prison" and "labor," reflecting the dual nature of these camps, which served as both prisons and labor camps. Prisogs were established as part of the Soviet government's efforts to suppress dissent and maintain control over the population.

The prisog system was officially introduced in 1938, following the Great Purge, a period of political repression that targeted perceived enemies of the state, including political opponents, religious figures, and ethnic minorities. Prisogs were typically located in remote areas and were operated by the NKVD, the Soviet secret police. Inmates were subjected to harsh conditions, including long working hours, inadequate food and shelter, and physical abuse.

The prisog system was used to carry out a variety of tasks, including construction projects, mining, and agriculture. Inmates were often forced to work without pay, and their labor was used to benefit the Soviet state. The prisog system was officially abolished in 1956, following the death of Joseph Stalin and the beginning of a period of relative political liberalization in the Soviet Union. However, the legacy of prisogs and the broader system of forced labor camps in the Soviet Union continues to be a subject of historical and political debate.