What's a Quarantine Wing? It's a separate unit within a prison where new inmates are held for two weeks. During this period, they are introduced to the rules, daily schedule, and other aspects of a prison life. But if you're unlucky, you have to be a very patient. Sometimes, quarantine can feel like a strength test.

There are two types of quarantine in Russian prisons. In first case, it's relatively peaceful time, inmates go through an adaptation period, meet to the officers, and get ready for life in prison. But in the other case, new convicts suffer a harsh difficult period. They are subjected to tortured and violence. Why? For What? Beats me. It's a punishment. Probably, the administration thinks that if a convict feels fear then he'll obey. And it's true. The administration gets complete submission from their prey. They abuse, humiliate, and demand money from convicts. It's not common practice overall, but it does happen.

I was lucky and avoided these problems. My quarantine period was peaceful. I woke up at 6 a.m., had to do morning exercise, and felt relaxed the rest of the day. Actually, there weren't many opportunities to relax. A big room, a table, a few chair, and a TV were all we had there. We could also have some tea, if there was any. There were ten guys besides me. A few of them arrived from another prison, and for the others and me, it was a first place. The majority were guilty of drug dealing the others were murderers.

So, time went by. Sometimes, we had formal meeting with the officers and spent our time watching TV or talking to each other. I felt bored and spent my days drawing. I'm not a pro artist, but I hoped to get a job as a painter. It could have been a good opportunity to improve my skills over the next five years. I had always to wanted to do it.

After the two weeks, I went to a commision where the administration made the decision about my future. The decision wasn't clear. They didn't give me a job, and I was sent to a living block with heavy thoughts about my uncertain fate.