Arbeit macht frei: - Fredrick Töben

It is time for inmates to have a shower. I am let out of my cell and walk to
the shower block, have my quick shower, then press the intercom button.
An officer arrives and informs me not to do this again because it is only for
emergency. I protest, ‘But that’s what I had to do in G Division’.
‘You’ve come from G Division?’.
‘Yes, Sir, spent a week there. I’m in here for contempt of court because I
refuse to believe in the Holocaust. I thought I was in protective custody’.
‘Let me give you a little advice. Don’t mention protective custody here, and
you’d be wise to talk less’.
I am a fast learner and respond appropriately, ‘Sir!’.
Mr Elal and Mr Smith, the latter from New Zealand, interview me. I
mention my teaching time at Rongotai College, something Smith can relate
to, especially if I add to that Lumdsden in the South Island and Te
Awamutu College in the North Island. Yes, I am informed, at the moment
my security clearance is set to high, but I will be re-classified to L2, which
enables me to be transferred to Cadell Training Centre, a prison farm –
‘It’s like a holiday camp’.
It is raining outside and it is rather cool inside the cell, more so as the day
merges into night.
The PA system informs us that the director and the general manager are
coming through the wing; it is requested to have a tidy presentation.
For tea it is chicken – I do not like chicken because it tastes foul!
Tuesday, 25 August: It is a cold day with showery weather. Wearing my G
Division smock was much warmer than the overalls I had to wear after my
transfer. At 8 a.m. there is a call of ‘Töben’ outside the cell door and
through the door trap I receive another set of overalls. I am going
somewhere, surely.
The prison visitor is about again, but he cannot help me because I do not
really have any complaints. The rules are clear: ‘Prisoners are required to
comply with all directions/instructions from officers. Failure to do so may
result in your regime being changed and/or loss of privileges’.
Privileges? What is new in ‘rehabilitation’? Presumably personal cleanliness
and in the cell; behaviour adapted to the prevailing norm of the division.
That is what the Kantian Categorical Imperative is all about. This has
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