SPIEGEL: Were you treated decently while in custody?
Tolokonnikova: No. It was terrible. They tried everything to break me and silence me. The collective punishments were the worst, almost unbearable. Because of a small gesture, or when I asked the camp management to observe the law, 100 people were assigned to a punishment unit, where beatings were customary. I was treated better than others, simply because there was so much public attention. In my case, they did adhere to the eight-hour workday required by law. The other women were often forced to slave away for up to 16 hours a day.
SPIEGEL: How could the Russian penal system be reformed?
Tolokonnikova: I\’m not claiming that everything I say here is the ultimate truth. But this is what would be needed: more exercise, a broader selection of work activities to reflect the talents and propensities of prisoners, and decent pay, so that prisoners can occasionally buy something without outside support. I was paid all of 25 rubles a month for sewing uniforms day in and day out. In euros, that\’s the equivalent of 60 cents ($0.82). I would have been in bad shape if I hadn\’t received food packages. It would also be very important to prevent prisoners from harassing their fellow prisoners. And I also think educational activities are important. For example, why shouldn\’t prisons feature the occasional guest performance by a theater group?
via SPIEGEL Interview With Pussy Riot Member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova – SPIEGEL ONLINE.





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