Instead of the claimed “rehabilitation,” the Belarusian penitentiary system systematically destroys an individual’s everyday independence. Strict control, the breakdown of family ties, and a superficial approach to pre-release preparation lead only to rising recidivism rates and deep stigmatization of former prisoners.
Using Women’s Penal Colony No. 4 as an example, human rights defender at “Viasna” and former political prisoner Marfa Rabkova, human rights defender Vasil Zavadski (“Physicians for Truth and Justice”), and sociologist Hienadz Korshunau (“Belarusian Sociology Group”) break down why real resocialization fails to work in Belarus and how this impacts society.
Camera Operator, Video Editor: Max Morrisson