WNBA star Brittney Griner recently shared details about her traumatic experience in a Russian prison during an interview with ABC News’ “Good Morning America.” Griner was arrested in February 2022 after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage at a Russian airport. She was then detained and transferred to a penal colony outside Moscow, where she spent nearly 10 months behind bars. In December 2022, Griner was released in a prisoner exchange for a Russian arms dealer.
During the interview, Griner revealed that she battled suicidal thoughts while in prison and struggled to maintain hope that she would survive the ordeal. She described the living conditions in the penal colony as dehumanizing, with no soap, toilet paper, and a mattress with a blood stain. Griner expressed feeling like “less than a human” during her time in captivity.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and top overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, is set to release a memoir titled “Coming Home” on May 7, which will delve deeper into her experiences in Russia. She resumed her career with the Phoenix Mercury in May 2023 and received All-Star honors last season. The upcoming interview is expected to cover Griner’s entire journey from arrest to release.
The WNBA star’s emotional interview on “Good Morning America” offered a glimpse into the mental and emotional toll of her time in a Russian prison. Griner tearfully recounted feeling scared and hopeless during her detainment, shedding light on the challenges she faced behind bars. Her story sheds light on issues surrounding mental health and the harsh realities of the criminal justice system in other countries.
Griner’s upcoming memoir is anticipated to provide a more in-depth look into her experience in Russia, offering readers a closer look at the struggles she faced and the resilience she showed throughout her ordeal. The full hour-long interview, “Prisoner in Russia: The Brittney Griner Interview,” is set to air on May 1 on ABC News, providing further insight into her harrowing journey. Griner’s willingness to share her story publicly highlights the importance of raising awareness about mental health issues and supporting individuals who have endured similar challenges.
