Tuol Sleng aka S-21 (Re-education Centre/Prison)

In the afternoon I visit Tuol Sleng, a secondary school that was converted to a prison. Anyone deemed an enemy by the Khmer Rouge was detained, tortured and ultimately executed here and at many similar prisons. Of the 20,000 inmates, only seven survived.

The place is a brutal reminder of the tortures that happened between 1975 and 1979. A photo gallery displays photos of the many inmates. Male or female, young or old, it didn’t matter there were young boys and old women tortured and executed here. Photos show how many of the people died and the torture paraphernalia is displayed.

The prison cells were incredibly cramped and the balcony was covered in barbed wire to prevent prisoners from committing suicide.

The place is overwhelmingly depressing, most people viewing the exhibitions are in a sombre mood; they don’t smile, they don’t acknowledge anyone else around them, they only walk around the school and try to visualise the atrocities that took place.

After visiting the prison, I take a long walk as I ponder what leads people to force such brutal conditions on each other. This place will have a lasting effect on me.