Part 5/9:
During Slava’s time in two minimum-security facilities, he encountered characters that epitomized the tough realties of prison life. Notably, he mentions Bruno, a mid-level meth dealer who faced stigma for being openly gay. Bruno, with his infamy and peculiar approach to relationships, offers a glimpse into the murky waters of desire and compromise among inmates. His shocking yet revealing barter for intimacy — transactional sexual encounters for increased canteen allowances — captures the stark reality many inmates face, along with the human desire for connection under dire circumstances.