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via Getty

via Getty

A human rights lawyer with expertise on the conditions of Russian penal colonies has recently raised concerns about the safety of Brittney Griner in her Mordovian penal colony. The WNBA star is in exile in Russia for over nine months. Russian prison authorities recently moved her to the IK-2 penal colony in Yavas, around 300 miles southeast of Moscow. While talking about the horrors of penal colonies, Jamison Firestone revealed that Brittney Griner could be deprived of basic necessities inside her prison colony.

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Jamison Firestone spent a few years in Moscow when he moved to Russia in 1991. He co-founded the law firm Firestone Duncan with his close friend and associate Terry Duncan. Unfortunately, Firestone had to flee Russia after the death of his former employee Sergei Magnitsky after being incarcerated for 11 months.

In a recent interview, Firestone offered his take on the brutalities of Mordovian prison colonies. He also elaborated on Brittney Griner‘s current prison facility and its brutal practices.

Firestone reveals the horrors of Brittney Griner’s penal colony

Jamison Firestone stated that the prison colonies in Mordovia are often run by the prison administrations. Additionally, inmates are assigned to work on their behalf. The human rights lawyer also talked about the harsh labor conditions in the facilities. He revealed that inmates are forced to work up to 16-17 hours.

Furthermore, Firestone said failing to meet the quotas results in solitary confinement or being beaten down by their fellow inmates.

READ MORE: Prisoner Swap for Brittney Griner?s Return Considered ?Positive Signal?, Claims Russian Foreign Minister

Moreover, the experienced activist pointed out the lack of basic necessities that will plague Brittney Griner in the penal colony. Firestone said, “They don’t have any basic necessities, I mean, everything from toilet paper to Tampax to soap to toothpaste. They don’t have them. Regular medicines, aspirin, they don’t have them.”

He shared that Brittney Griner could be deprived of basic necessities like toilet paper and toothpaste. Firestone also talked about the lack of medical facilities inside Russian prisons.

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The 56-year-old stated that inmates are not sent to the doctors unless they are severely injured. In addition, Firestone reckoned that doctors did not have the medicines or facilities to cater to serious situations.?

Brittney Griner might have trouble communicating in prison

Every day that Brittney Griner spends inside penal colony in Russia would be extremely dangerous for her. She will be dealing with some inhumane challenges in front of her and nobody to really share the pain with.

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Being American, Griner would also be facing some serious communication issues inside the prison. The guards and the inmates in Russia may not know English, further aggravating her woes.