Kapo facts for kids
A kapo was a special kind of prisoner in the Nazi concentration camps during The Holocaust. These prisoners were chosen by the Schutzstaffel (SS) guards. The SS guards were the people who ran the camps.
Kapos helped the SS guards manage the camps. Some kapos were in charge of other prisoners. These prisoners had to do forced labor, which means they were made to work without pay. Other kapos helped with paperwork and keeping records in the camps.
What Was a Kapo?
Kapos were prisoners who were given power over other prisoners. The word "kapo" comes from an Italian word meaning "head" or "chief." They were also called "prisoner functionaries." This means they had a special job or function within the camp system.
Why Were Kapos Used?
The Nazis used kapos for several reasons. First, having kapos meant they did not need as many SS guards. This saved money and resources. Second, kapos helped the SS control the large number of prisoners. This made it easier for a small group of SS to manage huge camps. Since kapos were prisoners, they were not paid for their work. This system saved the Nazis a lot of money.
Life as a Kapo
Even though kapos were prisoners, they received special treatment. They did not have to do the hard physical labor that other prisoners did. They were also generally not hurt or abused by the guards like other prisoners. Kapos sometimes got extra food, cigarettes, and even private rooms. They might also wear regular clothes instead of prisoner uniforms.
However, to keep these benefits, kapos had to obey the SS guards. They had to make sure other prisoners followed the rules. If a kapo did not control the prisoners well enough, they would lose their special job. Then, they would become a regular prisoner again. This meant they would face the same harsh conditions as everyone else.
The SS often chose kapos who were known to be tough or unfair. These kapos sometimes treated other prisoners very badly. The SS guards allowed this to happen. This created a difficult situation for all prisoners in the camps.
See also
In Spanish: Kapo para niños
