 According to the Romanian historian Mircea Stănescu, tens of people died in the "Pitești experiment"; its aim was not to kill the inmates, but to "reeducate" them.For a 2017 art exhibit at the former Pitești prison, artist Cătălin Bădărău sculpted contorted figures lying in the hallways or in the cells; one figure stood awkwardly on his head, others had their hands tied behind their backs or were covering their faces.According to Bădărău, "They were strong people when they went into prison but they came out physical wrecks.