Inhumane conditions are awaiting Brittney Griner in Russia which might upset her supporters. On October 25th, a Russian court denied her appeal against her nine-year jail term. This implies she will have to complete her term in a penal colony if she is not included in a prisoner swap between the US and Russia shortly.

Forced labor, poor hygiene, and a lack of access to medical care are all concerns for the WNBA star. And as per Maria Alyokhina, a member of the Russian activist group Pussy Riot, a penal colony is not your ordinary jail. In fact, she revealed the ins and outs of these penal colonies in a Reuters recent report, having spent nearly two years in one of them.

Recent reports reveal shocking details of Russian penal colonies

Alyokhina became familiar with Russian penal colonies as an inmate. She was imprisoned for her involvement in a punk protest against President Vladimir Putin in 2012. Moreover, her explanation of these penal colonies in an interview is enough to shiver one down to the bone.

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She stated that these penal colonies are not buildings with cells. In fact, she characterized it as a strange village, similar to a Gulag labor camp. Alyokhina went on to say that the facility is similar to a labor camp because all prisoners are required to work. The work includes sewing police uniforms and uniforms for the Russian army.

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She described how the colony was divided between a factory area and a “living zone”. The living zone’s conditions are terrible, as she claimed “80 women lived in one room with just three toilets and no hot water.” Furthermore, there is no hot water to combat freezing temperatures.

“It actually is a labour camp because by law all the prisoners should work. The quite cynical thing about this work is that prisoners usually sew police uniforms and uniforms for the Russian army, almost without salary,” said Alyokhina.

Griner is poised to encounter a bleak life. Her chances of returning home are now dangling by a thread after her appeal was denied. Moreover, a prisoner swap is the only hope.

The only hope for Brittney Griner is a prisoner swap between Russia and the United States

With Brittney Griner’s appeal denied, all eyes are on a possible prisoner swap between Russia and the United States. Both countries were reported to be negotiating a prisoner swap.

According to reports, the US proposed a prisoner swap to Russia in order to secure the release of Griner and another American prisoner, Paul Whelan. In fact, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken characterized it as a “substantial offer.” However, no fresh information has emerged in this respect.

Russia had previously warned the US against the use of public pressure to secure the release of the WNBA star. In fact, if they did, Russia stated that all negotiations would be terminated.

Brittney Griner was detained in Russia after officials seized cannabis-infused vape cartridges from her luggage. She eventually pled guilty to the Russian drug allegations and was sentenced to nine years in prison. Now that her appeal has been dismissed and she faces the horrendous conditions of Russian penal colonies, the only way out is a prisoner swap.

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What do you think the future holds for Brittney Griner? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.