Griner Reflects on Her Time in Russian Detention
Brittney Griner, the celebrated WNBA player, is sharing the raw and emotional details of her harrowing 10-month ordeal in a Russian prison. In an exclusive interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, Griner opens up about the tough conditions she faced while detained in Russia, revealing how she struggled with feelings of guilt and the overwhelming pressure of what she perceived as letting others down.
This interview serves as a preview for Griner’s upcoming memoir, Coming Home, and provides a deeper look into her experiences. It marks one of Griner’s most candid discussions about her detainment, allowing fans and the public to understand the emotional and physical toll the imprisonment took on her.
The Day of Her Detainment
The interview aired as part of a special preview on Good Morning America on May 1, where Griner recounted the day she was detained, beginning with the chaotic morning as she packed for her trip. Reflecting on her arrest, Griner described the regret and confusion she felt, asking herself, “How was I this absent-minded?” She spoke about the sinking feeling of realizing that a small mistake could jeopardize everything she had worked for, casting a shadow over her otherwise successful career.
The Arrest That Changed Everything
Griner’s troubles began on February 17, 2022, when she was detained at a Russian airport for carrying 0.7 grams of hash oil. While cannabis oil is legal in her home state of Arizona, it is illegal in Russia, leading to her being sentenced to nine years in a Russian labor camp.
In the interview, Griner compared her mistake to something as simple as misplacing keys or looking for glasses that are already on her head, a common slip of judgment. However, she acknowledged the magnitude of her error and how it weighed heavily on her throughout the ordeal. Tearfully, she confessed, “At the end of the day, it’s my fault, and I let everybody down,” still grappling with the guilt she felt toward her family, friends, and teammates.
The Harsh Conditions of Russian Prison
Griner’s time in the Russian prison was marked by unsanitary, unsafe, and dehumanizing conditions. She described sleeping on a mattress with a large bloodstain and facing shocking shortages of basic supplies, such as toilet paper, which was rationed to one roll per month—or sometimes none at all. In addition, Griner shared that she had to use toothpaste that was 15 years past its expiration date, which she used to try to combat the black mold growing on the prison walls.
A Drastic Change in Appearance
One of the most jarring revelations Griner shared was how the harsh conditions affected her appearance. Known for her signature long dreadlocks, Griner had to cut them off after they became a health hazard. The cold and wet conditions in the prison caused her dreads to remain damp, which led to illness. “You gotta do what you gotta do to survive,” Griner said, describing the drastic measures she had to take to adapt to the brutal reality she was facing.
Dehumanizing Conditions and Survival
When Roberts asked Griner about the dehumanizing nature of her confinement, Griner didn’t hesitate. She described the experience as “dehumanizing,” explaining how the entire ordeal stripped away the basic dignity every human being deserves. The mental and physical toll of such an experience was unimaginable for anyone, but Griner’s resilience and determination to survive are evident in her words.
Griner’s Release and Return to Basketball
Griner was released on December 8, 2022, in a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, where she was exchanged for arms dealer Viktor Bout. Since her release, Griner has returned to the basketball court for the 2023 WNBA season, continuing her career with the Phoenix Mercury and working to move forward after her traumatic experience.
In the upcoming special Prison in Russia: The Brittney Griner Interview, airing on ABC Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of Griner’s resilience and the difficult conditions she endured during her detainment. Griner’s story is one of survival, strength, and ultimately, healing as she continues to rebuild her life and career.
