Locations

Butyrka Prison — From a Hussar Settlement to Moscow’s Main Detention Center

From a 17th-century hussar village to Moscow’s largest pretrial detention center — Butyrka has witnessed revolutions, repressions, and escapes. Its history reflects every era of Russian punishment, from Tolstoy’s visits to overcrowded 1990s cells.

Polar Owl Prison: Life and Secrets of Russia’s Harshest Arctic Colony

Explore the brutal reality of IK-18 “Polar Owl,” Russia’s most notorious Arctic prison for life-sentenced criminals. History, scandals, regime, and infamous inmates.

White Swan Prison: History and Inside Look

The “White Swan” is one of the most heavily guarded prisons in Russia. Known for its harsh regime and infamous inmates, it holds hundreds of life-sentenced convicts under constant surveillance.

Black Dolphin Prison: Inside Russia’s Harshest Maximum-Security Colony

Black Dolphin (IK-6) is Russia’s toughest prison for lifers. From a papier-mâché dolphin that gave the camp its nickname to hooded transfers, 90-minute “walks” in concrete cages, and a parole system that rejects nearly every application, this article reveals the un-varnished reality of life behind its triple-barred doors.