Brittney Griner Sent To Harsher Than Normal, Russian Prison For Women

Professional basketball player Brittney Griner will unfortunately be taking a long break from the court after being sentenced to nine years imprisonment in Russia. The 32-year-old sports star will spend almost the next decade of her life in one of the harshest prison settings in the world.

This news comes after the world champion got into legal trouble when the Sheremetyevo Airport staff found hash oil in her luggage in Moscow. She will be serving time in the women-only general regime colony, which is much harsher than the settlement colony.

Per reports, ex-inmates of the general regime colony, like Sarah Krivanek, came out to confirm the horrors of the high-security prisons. She noted that they had stricter rules and more guards than the settlement colonies. She also explained that there was a huge language barrier between the inmates. 

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According to People Magazine, an NGO Russia Behind Bars representative, Natalia Filinonovna, revealed that life in the general regime colony is "not an easy" one. Krivanek, who also spent time in a Russian prison as an American, revealed that her nine months in the colony were "hell."

She went to jail for a "slight physical harm" she caused to her roommate at the time. Comparing her crime to Griner's, she explained that the country saw the sports star's action as a similar offense to murder. "A drugs crime is seen as a crime against the nation, on a par with murder, and the sentence reflects that."

Galina Yakovlena, a former Russian inmate, explained to People that Griner would be at the central prison until there was space for her in the general regime colony. She also gave some details about the horrid prison system, explaining that there were high walls, tight spaces, and a huge language barrier. She also revealed that they were homophobic.

Griner, who is publicly gay, will have a hard time in the correctional center as homosexual relationships are forbidden. According to Yakovlena, the authorities could move her to an isolation cell for disobeying the law. She also revealed a language barrier among the inmates since it received several foreigners from time to time.

She also noted that the spaces were cramped, as about 100 women shared four toilets and sinks. Also, prison visits and packages were limited to 12 times per year. Yakovlena then commented on the really short personal time but suggested that Griner could request a basketball hoop and some games from her friends outside.

While the system is a nightmare, Griner may get support from her co-inmates and bond with them over time.

According to Yakovlena, it's easy to bond with the other inmates since they all live in similar conditions. "We're living in times when you get sent to a colony for the slightest possible reason, and so everyone feels that injustice keenly and unite together to support each other, whoever you are," she said.

She also felt bad for Griner for having to deal with the prison system for nine whole years. While she now runs a charity to support imprisoned children, she recalled being scared to death when she first got to jail.

Recounting her experience, she said per People, "You don't know what's ahead of you. It's all grim and grey." She also revealed that it's different from the settlement colonies because they take their personal belongings and make them wear a uniform and scarf "all the time."

Yakovlena continued, "It's a horrifying experience. They take everything that belongs to you — that makes you a person — away from you. It's run like a military boot camp."

Commenting on the prison condition of the general regime, the International Committee for Human Rights rep Ivan Melnikov noted (per People) that an inmate could be "rewarded for good behavior after three or four years by being sent to a settlement colony."

While this is good news, he was also worried about the language barrier and the possibility of sending her to an isolation cell. However, amidst the reports about bullying and prison fights, he believed the system would protect her as a world champion.

Like the other ex-inmates, he hoped she wouldn't be a victim of racism and homophobia. "People are faceless there, what matters is if you are a good person and can find friends."