Since, following international standards, Russia renounced the death penalty, there was a need for specially equipped places of detention where those who were previously subject to execution would be kept. One of such places was correctional colony No. 6 in the Orenburg region, in the city of Sol-Iletsk. For several years she has been considered exemplary - following her example, they want to transform the rest of the prisons. It looks more like a sanatorium or resort to an outsider, but at the same time it is almost the most sinister place in Russia.
The contingent of "guests"
This impression was not developed from scratch. Still, all the "black dolphins" - prisoners of the IC - remain the worst Russian criminals. Among them are cannibals, and maniacs, and terrorists. Even colony officers say that the atmosphere in it is terrible and depressing. Rounding the numbers, we can say that there are almost 6 times more people killed by prisoners than themselves. And at the same time, all the ruined died a far from easy death.
Colony history
The prison in Sol-Iletsk has been standing almost from the day the city was founded. Once hiding modestly on the outskirts, but the city has grown, and now its place is in its center. In the old days, prisoners were engaged in hard labor for the extraction of salt. An interesting fact: in the mid-19th century, the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko lived here in a settlement. Of course, he was not kept in the prison itself, but a plaque hangs proudly near it.
The colony that became popularly known as the “Black Dolphin” received a colony not so long ago. It is associated with two sculptures of these marine mammals, which are made by the prisoners themselves. Now black dolphins are standing on the lawn in the prison.
Conditions of detention
Since, in addition to the prison, Sol-Iletsk is also famous for its resorts, there are many vacationers there. Their impressions of the colony are the very opposite: some claim that it is gloomy, puts pressure on the psyche, and besides, it is visible from anywhere in the city. Others (apparently unaware that “black dolphins” are contained in these walls) periodically try to go on an excursion - the territory seems to be so peaceful and well-groomed.
There really is a lot of greenery and lawns. In addition to the already mentioned statues, funny figures of a giraffe, frogs and a bear are installed. Buildings are painted in bright colors - all this is intended to stabilize the psyche, normalize the emotional background.
The food of the prisoners is simple, but satisfying and proper. Sometimes they even rely on some goodies. So, in the watermelon season, "black dolphins" get a sufficient amount of this berry. Thanks to good nutrition in the colony there are very few patients with tuberculosis, and even they are treated without special therapy - normal food and compliance with the regime.
Criminals are allowed to read - the prison has a fairly extensive library. The only condition is that you can keep up to 10 books in the cell at the same time.
Cleanliness is maintained by the prisoners themselves. Even the most aggressive and vicious take part in the cleaning process - in case of failure, an insulator threatens, and this is an even greater limitation of the already absent will. But in every cell there is a civilized toilet, hot and cold water, a normal floor. There are air conditioners in the buildings, so even in the summer it is not hot.
Mode features
At the same time, one should not forget that the “Black Dolphin” is not a health-improving institution, but a penitentiary institution, especially for especially dangerous individuals. Inside the buildings in this regard, the view is much more severe. Firstly, cells are installed inside the cells, and criminals live in them. Secondly, they are not taken either to the dining room or to the library - everything is delivered to the cells. Thirdly, if the colony officers need to go into the prisoner's living quarters, the latter is placed in a “glass” - a fenced cell in the corridor.
Precautions
The beds in the cells are two-story, and they are firmly fixed and very durable. It is impossible to disassemble them, something to break off, too. Otherwise, people who actually have nothing to lose could use their fragments to attack the guards or suicide. Mattresses are also of a special design. During the day they are stored in a folded state, since the bed after lifting is a forbidden place. You can walk around the camera, sit on a bench, and the bed is only available at night.
All these harsh conditions are essential for saving the life of prison staff and preventing escapes. For the same purpose, nothing is visible from the windows of the chambers except a piece of the sky — the black dolphins receive enough sunlight to not get sick with rickets or consumption, but they cannot study the plan of the colony. They are transferred from the camera to work, to the first-aid post or for a walk in handcuffs, fastened at the back, and in an inclined state - it is almost impossible to attack the escort. Maybe, for some, the content of criminals in the Black Dolphin Prison (photos from the colony are presented in the article) seems too cruel. However, it is worth remembering how ruthless the people who sit here. In addition, many of them are at odds with their heads, and nobody wants and is not going to risk the health and life of the colony workers.
The cameras are monitored every quarter of an hour by the guards, and this despite the fact that video monitoring is carried out throughout the whole day. Searches are also frequent - with all the strictness of detention, it is possible to prepare for an attempt to escape, and to receive (prepare) drugs. But in this prison the prisoners do not even smoke!
Overalls for prisoners
They are always dressed the same. It makes no difference - relaxation, gymnastics or work. In principle, we can say that this is reinsurance in case of a successful escape. The uniform consists of a black jacket with three transverse white stripes, the same pants (stripes on each leg) and fez caps with the same three, but already vertical, stripes.
Additional measures
Dogs accompany prisoners everywhere, even in corridors, at the same time as escorts. Moreover, these animals are severely trained, obey the dog handlers implicitly, and they immediately respond to any extra movement of the convoy. And yet there was a case when a prisoner tried to strangle a dog during an exacerbation.
Convicts just brought in are led around the yard with a blindfold - another measure to prevent the organization of escape. The first to whom the court ordered a life sentence were carried on with a bag on their heads, but now the rules have changed somewhat.
Subtleties of Russian law
It appears that for prisoners, the Black Dolphin is the last refuge for life. If this colony is located, for example, in the USA, it would be so. However, in our country everything is completely different. The fact is that the laws of Russia, relatively speaking, by life imprisonment mean a final term of 25 years. And if a maniac, cannibal or terrorist survives during this time, he can count on parole. And, of course, none of them will give up the chance to be outside the walls of the prison, even under constant supervision. Just in 2014, appeals of those who served a quarter of a century will be considered.
So, perhaps, soon one of the inhabitants of IK No. 6 will be free. But did the potential relieved realize the incorrectness of his behavior? After all, psychologists believe that the modern prison system does not re-educate the criminal. On the contrary, it embitters, makes cynical and completely unsuitable for life among people. And will not some other innocent people suffer at the hands of the amnesties?