The site publishes a letter Igor Olinevich abc-belarus.org in which he commented on the trip of representatives of the human rights organization "Platform" on correctional colonies and describes in detail the system in which he has to live the last 5 years. Currently, a political prisoner serving time in prison "Vitba-3".
– Coming out of the ordinary punishment cell, I found that in the press raised questions about the situation in prisons and zones. With a smile, I read an article Alena Krasouskaya-Kaspiarovich [head of the human rights organization "Innovation Platform", hereafter approx. Ed.] on how to "for 5 years the situation has changed for the better." I have personally seen the arrival in the area Krasouskaya-Kaspiarovich and Likhavid saw their so-called "inspection". Likhovid was in a red jacket with a hood that covered almost the entire face, like Kenny in South Park. Apparently, he wanted to avoid being recognized. But the guys from the "tens" [IR-10] identified Nikita since met him out of the cooler, helped him. It is unfortunate that, after passing close by me, he is not asked me. I would have said in the cooler winter are now prisoners have taken panties as do not give to bring a towel and soap for feet, mug for drinking. Indeed, in his time, five years ago, it was still.
Funny to read it all when my eyes turned into camp area pozdnestalinskogo type, known as the Special Camps [system of special camps for political prisoners of the GULAG]. Here are just numbers on the back is not enough – progress. In my memory of the improvements would only increase the limit otovarka [the ability to purchase goods in the shop at the prison] for repeat offenders with one base unit and two – 360 thousand rubles. But the list of impairments... and fruit parcels banned, and hygiene were included in the weight of the transmission and retention of earnings increased from 4.3 to 90%, and personal basins / buckets forbidden and a date reduced and legal literature banned – you name it. It's time to tell you how things really are. Let everyone know.
The principal difference between the post-Soviet zone of GULAG: no hunger, barracks more or less heated, grueling labor, murder convict is no longer routine. The modern areas almost eradicated mass beatings of prisoners. Back in 2001, at Žodzina Centrale [jail-prison №8 Žodzina] arrested captors met with a mallet, and welcomed the "Welcome to "Čorny Busieł" [black stork (Belarusian)]." Beaten for prevention. Vitebsk prison filled with blood even in 2006-2010. My adventure in the American [KGB prison] – only children walk compared to those prisons. Although in 2012 a group of prisoners were beaten and in the zone, there was a case. A point beating unnecessarily continues today.
Fist in areas not walk, but thanks to the protection of prisoners' informal code. Apply unwarranted violence to another prison mate nicknamed – chaos, responsible respectively. However, jailers actively replacing convict tradition; when that happens, there will come a real mess.
In recent years, the material and tighten domestic security. This is done by the prisoners themselves, reduced to the role of jailers extortion of funds. However material aspect improve only one that can splurge every coming inspections. That's the reason the plasma in the European style Lenin's room [recreation room in the colonies]. But we know where a show – there bullshit.
In parallel, external beauty outlet banned in residential sections, but no toilet cubicles doors. Officially, one of the dishes permitted mug (ceramic prohibited). What to cook oatmeal and salads? For this purpose, are plastic containers, which are now banned in the programs. Withdraws electric kettles.
Do not wear a wool sweater. In winter and summer one model of shoes with normal shoe periodically struggling withdraw. Officially you cannot shorts and sports hats. No demi clothing: raincoat, jacket, coat. Either robe or padded jacket. Even nail clippers /scissors in the list of permitted items are not available, in step taken. What can I say – toothbrush third month cannot buy, no.
But material conditions – is not important. In human beings can live in the ruins. Much more important is the social conditions: the legal status of cultural and psychological atmosphere. And here Stalin's orders in bloom and smell almost intact.
The main feature inherited from modernity GULAG – the atmosphere of permissiveness on the part of the jailers. The prisoner does not recognize the full rights, it is permissible in respect of any arbitrariness. It feels rolls from the first day.
Mechanics slavery begins with a monolith called "regime." Every day a prisoner is obliged to go to the dining room, regardless of their own wishes and the weather. For self-cooking time often remains. Then go to the same club trips required to useless educational activities. Exit to the infirmary, store, bath and comes order and strictly command.
All day turns into a stupid move back and forth, always formation, not stretching, five in a row. For this special watch. Not reaching the local area detachment what some 20 meters on duty warden stop system and make the line up 5 in a row to make the last few steps.
Just before dinner, it began to rain, but you still need to go. In the industrial area, the workshops came drenched to the skin. Let me remind you, we have raincoats. Right now the guys locked in the sump [close the camera, where to put the prisoners during a search of cells] because sunbathed in LAN. After all, the TAP (internal rules) prisoners should be kept in robes.
All the time, not occupied by the dining room, club, industrial zones, and so on. D. We spend in their buildings. A squad is 100-200 people. The local portion of the body is a small enclosure, behind a fence and barbed wire. Go to the other local area and housing cannot be only with the permission of the opera. Getting around the area of detachment arrange so that prisoners do not overlap with each other. In the area there are actually dozens of micro-watersheds.
We live in the sections on 25-70 seats. Choosing a place cannot solve all the chief of the detachment or the opera, as well as activists. As planned, all have spare time to sit in Lenin's room or in sections on stools. Think of it are far from living people, so the mass is not observed such a regime. Section formed on the principle to put together completely disparate people, that there were no male staff people to remain fragmented psychologically possible.
During the mass comes to regime moronity point, personal. In a little fault with the unbuttoned the top button in the cold – a raised padded collar or robe. Or prohibit calls to go when released later not to stand two hours in a queue. Or run native on a date not in the morning, and after lunch, and it does not matter what people have come to 8 hours. Or send the package back, "forgetting" to make a mark in a personal card.
I even I cannot tie the scarf as I want, operas personally chastised me for it! I remember how it was necessary to put the ATAS [to raise a wave of indignation],... to be washed. I'm not kidding, if were caught for pouring water on the sink, put in a punishment cell for "violating the order of the day". It is in an environment where a shower – 1 time per week. Such a number of Department of [Penitentiary] considers sufficient.
To call home, I need to write more than one application for each call, pass along all on certain days, to be signed in 2-3 weeks. That is, each month zone produces several thousand sheets for absolutely senseless ritual signing. After all, the call will still be written in a single log. All this red tape is introduced for one purpose: to discourage any desire to convict call home.
Sometimes it has tragic consequences. May 18 guys in my squad, suicidal, head of unit did not give call home mother. There have been some problems with the forthcoming tryst. And in the evening Acne hanged himself at the industrial zone. Do you think something has changed? No. The head of the detachment was sent on leave for six weeks, until all settles. As one Head, "I write off the stool harder than the prisoner."
If previously satisfied their jailers sadistic violence, rudeness, lawlessness, now cloaked them under the requirements of the correctional process, the daily routine and regime. There is only a modification of bestial attitude to man. Indeed, in normal cattle shed keep warm, fed to satiety, do not beat or shout. So in the camps. Only the shed is a shed and cattle cattle. You may ask: "How do you all suffer?" Occasionally perturbations occur, nevertheless understanding between jailers and inmates getting smaller. Just recently I have been clamor and we, on the exemplary "troika" [IR 3]. June 22-23 zone refused the meal. The guards, most of whom used to work in the youngster [colony for juvenile prisoners], still cannot understand that they are dealing with adults with their morals. They are activists of human on the mug push [transferred to the category of "lowered" the lower classes in the prison caste system], the people did not understand it, was indignant.
But such action – a rarity. After all, in the hands of the administration of the early release of any prisoner. On the whole, works effectively the principle of "divide and rule". All requirements of the regime, and so on. N. Is much less susceptible to the activists. Previously, they were called "the camp assholes" and now simply "the box." Activists – lower link colony administration from among the prisoners themselves. Officially, they must choose convicted in the units, but in reality they are appointed from above.
The guards provide them of a better life in exchange for a service. Sometimes, an activist in its influence than many employees. They often give travelers, recovered three days, give more calls, more parcels, turning a blind eye to violations. They are allowed to go on a visit to other local area or outside the stadium graphics, in the shower. Sometimes provide their own cabinets.
But these are trifles. Having access to a particular kind of warden service performed, they can solve various issues. Extra day for a date, the weight of products submitted, the additional package, bed, position activist, and most importantly – the early release; even incite jailers to objectionable or con, on the contrary, apologize from foreclosure – everything is possible.
Goats, who arrived with "dozens" were very frank. Boasted as of a couple of packs of cigarettes or coffee "were shot" [received positive] characteristics, by intrigue in the offices of "totter" with positions of their own kind. About corruption and talking too: all were sold.
Addressing, of course, takes place on a reimbursable basis. But not so much personally pocket (though there is), and through the official cover-up: foundation of the colony. Building materials, paint, wallpaper, window, money to the official account, subscriptions to newspapers "Working path" – this is the main thread. That is so beloved Krasouskaya Eurorepair made at the expense of prisoners' relatives, well-functioning system of the proceeds of extortion. In the area of specially created artificial scarcity of material and social benefits, "overcoming" who replenish their accounts.
Get the position of activist – "fasten wing" – a cherished dream of many. It is not only a relief of his own life, but also to the power of communion. For the sake of this power in the camp every day is a real war. The prisoners and the jailers (I'm not exaggerating) in rallying the clans. Who influences whom, do not tell.
In addition to open privileged class among the prisoners there are hidden. Spies, informers, whistleblowers – in a word, bitch. Do you see a couple of scoundrels in the squad. Alas. Methods jailers to make a bitch each.
The proposal to cooperate fill up at every opportunity. One unit officer [head of the detachment] boasted to me that in his detachment of 120 people chattering 65. Hopefully, that's a lie. However, in the prisoners' environment for a long time no one ever did not speak openly.
Whisper, nods, veiled phrases... All this publicly peach jailers – such is the general judgment. Sometimes, speed is just a few minutes! As a rule, identified females lustration betray. Cheaper to know who is who [Who's Who], at the right time to neutralize the nits or run in his ears misinformation [disinformation].
Bitches are such for different reasons. For some, this is the first step in the "red stairs" to become a goat, an activist. For others – the promise of early release. For others – material makeup (poor informer give cigarettes and tea). For the fourth – the ability to go on a visit to other units, immunity from minor violations.
But the worst thing is that a lot of volunteers and enthusiasts, the pleasure of knocking. Against the background of the overall oppression and humiliation snitch feels its importance by a secret power. As I found out years later, there were people who helped me with one hand and at the same time to inform on me. Apparently, the fate liked to play. In general, the camp system promotes mass transformation into a bitch people.
Life is in constant confrontation jailers, goats and bitches leaves its mark. No wonder Barak sometimes called place for snakes. Intrigues, who sawed the hoof, someone was dumped in [framed] – these are the main news of the day. But what else to expect in terms of hierarchy and the deficit?
Incentives consist of the right to improve conditions of detention. It is entitled to additional otovarku several hundred thousand, and the right to extra visits and parcels. What? Brought up as dog food. Case of the fact that most prisoners cannot afford get the right to buy even the standard limit of 900 thousand rubles (5 basic units). Moreover, many "excellent pupils" do not even have 360 thousand (2 basic units), the minimum limit for malicious infringer [repeat offenders] and having a claim [prisoners liable to pay the claims of victims or the State].
The situation is similar with the date: the majority simply nobody comes. Moreover, we in the camps are only allowed to receive visits close relatives. Uncles, aunts, cousins and sisters, friends, colleagues, classmates – is prohibited. It sounds incredible, because we are accustomed to stereotypes from movies, but it's true. DIN [Department of Corrections] cries of the importance of maintaining social ties, and at the same time cuts them.
But I continue to money. How is it that people do not have even 900 thousand on otovarku? The vast majority of prisoners – dependents live on sent to the personal account of money. Because an honest living in the area to make impossible.
The majority (approximately 80%), number of employed only formally, no jobs. They bring to the industrial park for a tick (which in itself corrupts people). Those who work, are divided into two unequal groups.
The first – a few dozen lucky – really can make millions, as are employed in higher-yielding industries (tents, furniture). The second group – those hundreds of prisoners on work which the entire industrial area. Their "salary" cannot be called money.
For example, working on monopolists (machine for edging board) receives a full day at the expense of... 40 thousand! According to the code, first repaid the cost of maintaining, but not less than 10% of income goes to the personal account. So, the salary is 400 thousand. How? The minimal salary several times smaller! Another friend of mine was plowing in a sawmill, even at a time when the personal account is credited at least 25% (until autumn 2013). Working at half rate, 12 hours, on weekends and at night, he received 90-120 thousand.
The Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Labour cover it all, complaints are useless. The employment contract with the condemned is not corresponding to the item in the Code edited a few years ago. In fact, the country has a system of slave labor, affecting tens of thousands of people.
People survive as they can, secretly engaged in all sorts of crafts. But it is forbidden, throw in immediately if there is no roof on the part of the jailers. I think that if a prisoner agrees to the "red roof", it will be in proportion? No. Roofs jailer takes itself all, and in return – only relief for the regime (even digital music players are allowed), the solution of any issues, including early release. What is not a serf economy?
It turns out that a person can make boxes, backgammon, chess, prints, paintings, clothing, shoes – but for free, profited to the warden. As a result, people cannot work or provide for themselves or to help the family, nor reimburse the cost of maintaining or extinguish a claim or to save money for the release. Anyone can go to camp and self-profit tomorrow if only the jailers did not interfere. But where devastation – there Derbal [embezzlement]. So that none of the authorities do not need it.
In addition to funds for repairs of primary importance the administration attaches repayment claims in a criminal case. Everywhere hung tables and entire stands with the schedule, how much each unit in which month repaid. The entire prison system is tuned to it. Firstly, an amnesty: it does not apply to those who are not redeemed claim. Secondly, having a lawsuit fly past parole (at least on the code is not required). Third, obligated persons severely limited the store: 360000 (2 basic units) per month. If the prisoner is deprived of parcels, it means half-starved existence. Also to obligated persons give less days long visit, and almost do not give the removal of the remaining food. Come on public transport-old woman mothers should take the rest back.
The jailers regularly brainwashed 'pay, pay, pay." And why pay money as possible! To this the administration has super answers: 1) to pay out money sent close to food; 2) shall pay the relatives; 3) if the family does not have money, let them take out a bank loan. Banks are missing a huge opportunity, because only offer credit "prisoner" – there exists a target audience instantly.
As you can see, in the zones established system of legalized extortion. And it affects not only the prisoners, many of their relatives. However, jailers did not stop on it.
In 2013, in the "era of significant improvements, "merchandising steel trim and with a civil suit, a criminal case unrelated. It is absolutely illegal, so usually jailers recede if the con starts complaining. Although some of these perturbations end certification "malicious violator" with the same minimum limit of 360 thousand. Seeking leave for parole every way make it clear that civil claims were paid, otherwise the commission fails.
How is the punishment and punish undesirable? I remember the first time the warden told me: "I do not know what to you at the headquarters made blue [what you do not hit], but they decided sway you to Quichua [rid in a punishment cell]. You're standing on the cleaning sink, but you're not going door to dalnyak [WC] cleaned? So it's nothing personal. Spin the torpedoes. " That's it: wipe even handle the toilet – you go to the harem cock [the camera for "lowered"] refuse – into the cooler.
Options to place a prisoner in a desperate situation a lot. Sometimes, is heard in the morning on the zone alarm to get up, do not have time to get down from the bunk, in the section break guards. It was already "charged" for shooting [with the intention to notice minor violations and punish them]. Write a report "failed to comply with the command" Rise. " Do not stood up when the guards went to the section (and they come several times a day) – Report. Or turn the mattress on the bunk, write down "unsanitary condition bed." Or charge bitch watch when you wash with a basin of water you will go, or until fall asleep on his bunk. Although there is no point "it is forbidden to bathe in the sink" and "not allowed to sleep during the day." Write a "violation of order of the day", he says, if the routine for three o'clock mass-cultural events (and they do not!), How to con still guilty. It is necessary to sit on a stool or watch telly. Krasouskaya ought to most TAPs read before the rights of prisoners taken. It is very convenient waving papers at conferences with shouts of "Look! We all humanity! "Only the paper right in the present life emasculated.
More common method of repression – a search of personal belongings and check their compliance with the inventory. None of the prisoner it does not match, it is simply impossible to take into account all accurate. In November 2014 I've been so tossed the bag on the charging of the pipe [mobile phone] and Belarusian 40,000. The coincidence, but it was then that I came to the printout of my complaints Dean and the prosecutor's office. The point is that among the prisoners go only Bucks, laughing the whole area. Most throw SIM card.
To respect, is not respected – there is no difference. When it is decided that there is no chance. Well, but to seek influential figures among the goats, jailers or volnyachy [prisoners from among the service staff, which allowed going beyond his party], who will pull weight [Say a Word].
In this area I put on the first double-cock cleaning [cleaning, are not allowed to do everything except "descended", according to prisoner's laws, the black job], in the end, I spat on them at all. Now it is emphasized that the object of cleaning peasant [allowed for cleaning ordinary prisoners, "the men"]. First compromise the its approach and then "sincere" rehearse, why I refuse.
Yeah, comes a young puppy and demands that here and now began to clean up in his eyes. That is, they are like children, like adult men are not able to decided to do everyday moments in his squad. Naturally, it is humiliating in any set, and therefore is a favorite means of jailers. For them, it's kind of like a finger to threaten, he says, "everything we know, everything we see."
In addition to the punishment cell, deprived of visits (2 long and 3 short year) and parcels (3 per year), as the limit merchandising worst offenders 360 thousand. That's because in the XXI century man punished food and banned from seeing their parents and relatives. This alone has a shameless bestiality. But that's not all.
Small villainy in the unit, such as a reversing tables, items, correspondence, inciting goats and bitches or demonstrative punishment of the detachment / section in the calculation will not take it. Closing the man into a concrete patio a la "glass" for hours or even a day – even daily routine.
After the cooler prisoner can already put in FCT, the camp prison for six months. There is not only a man deprived of visits and parcels, but also calls. This is the question of maintaining social ties, advocated by Dean.
And after the PBC the next stop – "covered" only prison for violators. In Belarus, there are two: in Mogilev – for pervohods [first offenders], Grodno – for strogach [sentenced to strict regime]. Forward for three years, then back to the camp. Many people went there to not only saturate the camp bestiality not be idiots. About like I read in the memoirs of the GULAG prisoners, when people in the camps to return to the dream of political isolator monastic cells.
But this is not the limit. The Penal Code article 411 there is "willful disobedience". The formal structure – a violation within one year after PKT [cell-type premises, punishment worst offenders]. Up to two years plus the deadline. You can call in the area with a year and to serve all 25 of the law! In other words, in Belarus, no matter what article is still term is dimensionless. Man will sit as much decide the top. How is this different from the Stalinist CCA [special meeting of the NKVD] when the people of his release to renew?
There is no public control is not in sight. When they come to the important commission on prisoners driven Lenin’s room, and in all the key points of the zone are placed employees. In May 2015 I came here with a delegation headed by some Austrian. We drove to the shop on PROMKO, became head of the inlet, so that only we have not seen.
Although what I complain? In March 2014 came the chief Dean. He walked over to the two cons in the dining room, asked about the quality of soup. I must say supets that day was excellent shit, solid water, what guys right out and say. After 2 hours, we were both in the cooler. There were violations, sir.
Legal connection will almost there. Any letter goes through censorship, including complaints. Without the permission of the administration cannot write to a newspaper. Complaints to the Dean and the prosecutor's office are located far from all: a look at the sender. Usually compressed check not retreat any. If it shows toughness, and will have the support, the more chances. Although that prevents the public prosecutor to take the complaint once a week on their own?
However, the good of the complaints almost no. I have never heard that the prosecutor's office or the court canceled the unjust decision of the administration. Official answers – standard unsubscribe like "everything is fine, no violations found." Always like this.
The guards found an interesting way to deal with the complainants: hands on a complaint is issued, and a copy – do not. Sit and copied by hand! This innovation in recent years.
But the most recent "legal upgrade" – the ban on ownership of codes and other legal materials. In February 2015, in the "troika", I myself sent update seized the PEC and the Criminal Code, even the act of composition. To use legal literature can only be by taking it from the chief of the detachment. These prisoners are taken note. This is done so that a smaller supervisory review of the criminal case wrote.
A typical example of lawlessness, arbitrariness and mutual responsibility happening right now with my friend Victor Shaman. In the spring of 2015 he had imposed a penalty for having allegedly struck a tattoo on her back. Served basis denunciation. Victor explained that the tattoo was done more for freedom. However, the medical record was no description of the tattoo negligent examined by a doctor. After all, every newcomer to the zone con inspected his tattoos are recorded in card, often carelessly. Victor wrote a complaint to the prosecutor's office to seek outpatient card from Žodzina prison (ST-8), in which data about this tattoo made. Complaints were not released.
Then Victor sent them illegally, for what has stayed in the cooler. Vitebsk prosecutors said that from the administration area no violations: collecting legitimate. A request with ST-8 has not been done. But Victor yourself to finish ST-8, they sent a response that patient card has been sent to the area with him. Thus, the proof of innocence is right here, in the individual case. But no one to care no. But at stake – the amnesty, which does not apply to the Vita because of this collection.
The prisoners on the whole do not consider it necessary to fight because parole is in the hands of the administration. It was she who decides to "fix" any prisoner. Few people know: to get parole, a person must admit guilt. So hand washes, sweeps the tracks and investigative judicial lawlessness.
With regard to the special relationship to the political, it is obvious that the very camp system is a special relationship. Political prisoner takes her position in the unwanted prisoner, to which a sharpened set of repressive methods. Because of the specific – a meeting with a lawyer takes place only through the glass in the room short visits; most of the recipients of letters locked. I cannot get letters from old friends in politics are not relevant.
Living in a comprehensive regime of regulation, the prisoner almost loses space for initiative, self-realization. Cultural life in the camp of the poor, for show. Serfdom and slave labor, legalized extortion, refined mockery of the person – a characteristic reality of the camp.
Who comes out of the camps? The essence of the "correct" – to turn a man into a weak-willed machine kowtow to authority. Prison does everything possible to remove a person from the community, so he had nowhere to return. Some exempt angry, penniless, without faith in the justice and humanity. Others have crossed all conceivable facets moral: society for them as a testing ground of their lust for power and spun morality. Still others go all weak-willed vegetables, they killed the will.
Official recurrence – 54%! More than half. Even the so-called "embarked on the path of correction" – a quarter. But do not be mistaken about the rest. Having "prison universities" have not come across many, becoming a professional criminals. More part leaves the country at all, knowing that their sweep at the first opportunity. Camp psychology poisons the whole society, because the account goes on hundreds of thousands have passed through a meat grinder prison.
The camps have grown more material, because the time goes. But mentally – that thing! – It's the same GULAG.
charter97.org
