The news around Brittney Griner has been rather depressing for her supporters recently. The 32-year-old appealed her nine-year sentence in October. However, a Russian court denied her appeal. Now she will be beginning her sentence in a Russian penal colony 200 miles away from Moscow. However, the grim nature of such penal colonies might even see Griner work for the Russian army.

The penal colonies in Russia reportedly subject inmates to intense physical labor and long working hours. Moreover, the alleged hygiene and environment of the place make for more doom. Past prisoners in the colonies have made admissions about the treatment they saw during their time.

Stationed in Mordovia, the prison Brittney Griner will be kept in is known to hold convicts charged with murder and assault. With close to 800 other female inmates, she may face intense situations during her time there.

What Brittney Griner can expect

Griner is being held at the IK-2, an all-female colony. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, a member of the Pussy Riot protest group and former inmate, even protested against poor hygiene by going on a hunger strike in 2013. However, what’s more, is the amount of work the prisoners are subject to. Notably, prisoners are made to work for over 15 hours a day. Tasks such as mining, logging, or even building highways aren’t uncommon. Tolokonnikova alleged that inmates were “collapsing under the strain of slavery-like conditions”.

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Moreover, Brittney Griner might even have to work under the Russian army. While she won’t have to serve on the field, inmates are reportedly made to sew uniforms for the army.

The reputation and stories about the penal colonies are possibly enough for one to imagine what could await Griner. As far as her case goes, the USA has tried negotiating a potential prisoner swap in order to get Griner freed. However, officials claim there has been no good faith from Russia’s end so far. A prisoner swap seems to be the only way out for Griner at the moment. Unfortunately, the international turmoils between the two countries are likely getting in the way of her freedom.

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Do you think Russia may agree to a prisoner swap that would help free Brittney Griner anytime soon? Let us know your views in the comments below.