housing characterized by extreme plainness or dreary uniformity; a building or set of buildings used especially for lodging soldiers in garrison
noun
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrack
“Magda was mute. She never cried. Rosa hid her in the barracks, under the shawl but she knew one day someone would inform; or one day someone, not even stella would steal Magda to eat her.” pg2300
I understand that Rosa was afraid someone would find Magda in the barracks and snitch on her or use her as food.
