143. “. . . Other times, prisoners were hung by their wrists, their feet not being able to touch the floor. Sleep deprivation was also common. For days on end, prisoners were kept awake. They were beaten every time they started to fall asleep they were toppled out of the chair. As was the case in many other communist countries, they tried to destroy the soul or at least the self-identity of those who saw as a threat. It took great energy for a prisoner to hold onto the smallest of his or her original personality. Many lost that battle. . . .” ~ Nik Ripken