Thus, a small force of SSA officers and guards at each PPC manage to control hundreds of thousands prisoners, maximize production and operate the camp systems smoothly by enforcing a system of prisoners monitoring other prisoners. The following testimonies provide details of such systems and situations: “An SSA officer is assigned to several work units in every factory. There is only one SSA officer for every three work units. For the purpose of controlling prisoners, the SSA officer directly appoints a senior unit chief to oversee all work units of the work site. The Camp has a strict system of chain of command with the SSA officer at the top, then a senior unit chief and the work unit chief third in order. In the garment factory where I worked there was only one senior work unit chief for 2,500 prisoners. The senior work unit chief and work unit chiefs under him were all male. In the garment factory, there were no guards. There was an SSA officer and a senior work unit chief and the work unit chiefs that were under him. In fact, a single SSA officer was in full control of 2,500 prisoners by using selected prisoners to control other prisoners.” (Shin Dong-hyuk from Camp No. 14, Kaechon) “A platoon leader in the camp neither works nor takes a turn on guard duty. All he does is check the number of prisoners. They have a good life there. Certain long-term prisoners with a good work record and without a history of complaining are normally appointed as platoon leader or a guard. Platoon leaders are appointed by SSA officers-in-charge and guards are selected by the SSA sub-station. Prisoners who formerly were high ranking officials from Pyongyang are normally appointed as guards, chiefs at a threshing floor or an independent work project. Prisoners who’ve quarreled with other prisoners or disobeyed the platoon leader are sent through the process of self-criticism. The Control Committee holds meetings for self-criticism by prisoners on ad hoc basis and these are typically attended by the SSA officer. While I was there, the meetings were scheduled every other day. There is something called a 10-day meeting. The prisoners here include former members of the Employment Union, Working Youth Union or Party members. Prisoners must continue meeting schedules of their former organizations, even in this camp. Meetings focused on ideological struggle are held frequently. You have no chance to avoid punishment for any mistakes you make. The meetings are compulsory and, above all, you must be extremely careful to control your tongue, saying something wrong. Don’t say anything about what you have seen or heard to others; what happened at the work site or passing on rumors. You will be called to give account to the SSA officer and be given punishment for any faults.” (A04, former prisoner from Sorimchon, PPC No. 15, 2002~2005) 84