Brittney Griner is reportedly facing 16-hour work days and homophobic and racist conditions while serving time in a Russian penal colony.
It was reported earlier this month that Griner was moved to a Mordovian forced labor camp, where conditions are generally inhumane.
According to The Nation Magazine’s Dave Zirin, there is widespread bigotry and little medical care inside the prison, where inmates are forced to sew uniforms for police and guards.
Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova spent two years in a Russian penal colony, where she called the place hell and said “beatings and torture” were common. She also expressed her concern for Griner.
In a statement, Griner’s camp said she “is doing well as can be expected” despite everything happening.
Griner has been detained in Russia since February after being charged with carrying hashish oil into a Moscow airport in her luggage. She received a nine-year prison sentence, and in October, an appeal against that decision was rejected.
U.S. officials have claimed they are working on a prisoner swap to get Griner home.
