Brittney Griner, a W.N.B.A. star, spent nine months in a Russian prison after being arrested for drug possession. She endured dehumanizing treatment and struggled with her mental and physical health. After her release, she returned to playing basketball, but the transition was difficult. Griner’s memoir, “Coming Home,” details her experience in prison.
In the prison, Griner faced degrading treatment including unsanitary living conditions, lack of hygiene products, and being forced to undress and be photographed. As an openly gay professional athlete, she also faced discrimination and objectification by prison guards. She turned to smoking to cope with the stress and experienced physical and mental deterioration during her time in prison.
Despite the challenges she faced, Griner found a rare moment of agency when she decided to cut off her long locs due to the poor living conditions in the prison. She also reached out to President Biden for assistance, and eventually, after being moved to a men’s prison, she received a note from a guard telling her she was going home. She was eventually taken back to the U.S. where she reunited with her loved ones.
Upon her return, Griner struggled with PTSD as she tried to readjust to life outside of prison. She went through therapy to cope with her traumatic experience and trying to find a sense of normalcy. Returning to basketball helped her regain a sense of routine, but she still faced challenges in regaining her physical fitness and mental health.
As she prepares for the upcoming season, Griner finds solace in nature, often going into the mountains near her home to escape from the pressures and cameras that come with being a public figure. Her story highlights the resilience and strength she showed in the face of adversity, as well as the importance of mental health awareness and support for individuals who have experienced trauma.
