‘Live Weapon’ – Undercover Agents in Prison Cells: Secret Collaborators in Prisons and Investigative Jails in the Years 1944–1956 Cover Image

„Ostra broń” – agentura celna. Tajni współpracownicy w więzieniach i aresztach śledczych w latach 1944–1956
‘Live Weapon’ – Undercover Agents in Prison Cells: Secret Collaborators in Prisons and Investigative Jails in the Years 1944–1956

Author(s): Jacek Wołoszyn
Subject(s): History
Published by: Instytut Pamięci Narodowej
Keywords: Prison Cells; Undercover Agents; Live Weapon;1944–1956; Investigative Jails; Secret Collaborators

Summary/Abstract: Having had Polish society under systematic observation, the security apparatus was able to carry out its basic operational activity which was maintaining control over people. Among those under surveillance, there were not only ordinary people but also those being imprisoned in detention centres/ custodies and in jails. They were deeply infiltrated by a group of informers, the so-called cell agent network (prisoners-stoolies) recruited among detainees. That special category of the TW (TW – tajny współpracownik, secret collaborator) was considered to be one of the most important elements of the operational activity. All pieces of information they managed to gather provided investigation functionaries with the solid base for further investigations, interrogations, arrestments, new trials and litigations.

  • Issue Year: 16/2010
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 295-338
  • Page Count: 44
  • Language: Polish