Most prisoners got there by train
Once the prisoners had arrived at the camp, they were unloaded from their transportation vehicles.
If they arrived at a camp with both male and female inmates, they were then usually separated into two groups: men and then women and children separately.
Prisoners would often then be registered, and given a prisoner number. From this point onwards, they would typically only be referred to by this number rather than their name. At Auschwitz, this number would be tattooed onto their arms. At most other camps, it was stitched onto their clothing. Prisoners were also usually assigned to a barrack and work detail at this stage.
After registration the prisoners were told to undress. They were then forced to have their head shaved, and forced to shower, usually in front of hundreds of other people and the SS guards.
Typically, their regular clothing was taken away and replaced by a striped uniform, although, again, this depended on both the camp and the prisoner.
This humiliating process was designed to remove any remnants of human dignity or personal identity.