Anyone who did not conform to the ideal image of the "socialist person"—for example, through perceived work-shyness, a deviant lifestyle, or political stance—was declared an enemy of the state.
Image gallery
Erziehung durch Arbeit - Ausstellung
The media, authorities, and the judiciary shaped the image of "asocial elements" as a threat to order, labor productivity, and collective morality. "Education through Work" reveals the politically and ideologically motivated criminalization using the "asocial paragraph." The vague definition of "asocial behavior" in the law made Paragraph 249 applicable in a variety of ways in criminal prosecutions.
This is illustrated by the life stories of the fourteen women and men portrayed in the exhibition. The spectrum of those affected ranges from punks to prostitutes, from those applying to emigrate to members of the opposition. The rigid approach of the SED regime produced a large number of "asocial enemies of the state": Between 1969 and 1989, there were approximately 146,000 convictions under Paragraph 249, 125,600 of which resulted in imprisonment. Many of those affected needed help but were instead criminalized.
Those prosecuted and convicted under Section 249 experienced stigmatization and exclusion even after their imprisonment. To this day, those convicted under Section 249 receive legal rehabilitation and financial compensation only in exceptional cases.
A visit is recommended for young people aged 14 and over.
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Accessibility
Unfortunately, house number 22 is not wheelchair accessible.
