What was the life in the concentration camps?

Answer 1

In the extermination camps most of the prisoners were killed as soon as possible after arrival.

In ordinary concentration camps the inmates had to work for the Nazis - often for eleven hours a day, Monday to Saturday. Often the work was heavy manual labour - quarrying, mining and work in the armaments industry.

They usually had roll call twice a day, and the guards often spun it out unnecessarily.

The prisoners had to stand to attention while the guards walked round. After roll call, the assembled prisoners often had to watch those accused of breaking camp rules whipped or worse.

Food consisted of thin soup with some added potato, bread and sometimes also cabbage.

The ordinary laws of the land did not apply in concentration camps, and the guards enjoyed immunity from prosecution for assaults and killings carried out 'in the course of duty'. They were subject only to SS rules and regulations. This meant that those so inclined could indulge their sadism.

There's an excellent book on the subject: Eugen Kogon, The Theory and Practice of Hell.

See also the related question.