What is life in Russian prison like for Brittney Griner? Writing letters, reading Dostoevsky
Brittney Griner remains jailed in a pre-trial detention facility outside Moscow. What are the conditions like inside a Russian prison? They can be brutal, even Stalin-Era.
Chris BumbacaAs her trial continues, Brittney Griner's situation contains little certainty. But until the U.S. government can negotiate her release from Russia, Griner will remain "wrongfully detained" there on drug charges that could carry a sentence of 10 years in prison.
The two-time Olympian and WNBA star pleaded guilty "without intent" on Thursday, the second day of her trial. Griner will return to court next Thursday. Until then, she will return to her cell in the pre-trial detention facility she's been in since February.
That cell likely has "ancient" plumbing and fixtures, according to David Whelan, whose brother, Paul Whelan, has also been classified as "wrongfully detained" in Russia.
"When they talk about buildings being Stalin-era, they're not kidding," David Whelan told USA TODAY Sports.