to build the road which would lead to the complex. Work on the camp itself began 1 August 1942, with the first barracks erected the following January. Prisoners were immediately transferred from other camps to ease overcrowding and supply more slaves. By July 1943, the camp contained three prisoner barracks, two single-cell barracks, and a kitchen barrack. By the end of 1944, there was a toilet/laundry barrack, two administration/staff barracks, a guards barrack, and a garage. The prisoner buildings were surrounded by a double barbed wire fence with a guard tower on each corner. Prisoner barracks were divided into eight- and sixteen-person rooms, each with a total capacity of around 100 prisoners. The single-cell barracks were made up of rooms 1.2m x 4m in size. The maximum capacity of the camp was around 380. Life in the camp Inmates Between January 1943 and May 1945, Espeland held a total of 2026 prisoners. Although intended as a transit camp for political prisoners waiting to be sent to the Grini detention camp in Bærum, it was also used to hold those with short sentences for non-political crimes. Family members of wanted individuals (to be used as hostages) were also held. Most prisoners were released after a short stay but 627 of the inmates were ultimately transferred to Grini. At least 378 of these were sent further to Germany and a minimum of 27 lost their lives outside of Norway. At least five prisoners died while living in Espeland. Routine and work Food Prisoners were all served the same food, regardless of gender and whether they worked or not. The daily ration consisted of a small amount of black bread, some soup, some margarine substitute, and some coffee substitute. Single-cell barracks The first single-cell barracks was nicknamed Lenken (The Link) and reserved for the more serious political prisoners – usually those awaiting a death sentence or transit to Grini. It was also used as a temporary punishment for the other inmates. The prisoners in Lenken were only allowed out once a day, had their mail privileges removed, and were often interrogated/tortured before arriving at the camp. The second of the single-cell barracks was used to hold the camp's female prisoners. Camp work For inmates in the communal barracks, life consisted of forced labour. Prisoners were woken at 6:00am, with work starting at 8:00am and carrying on until 6:00pm; a lunch break was provided