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00:00:08,805 --> 00:00:10,805
[Raphael Rowe]
On the banks of the Dniester River,
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00:00:10,885 --> 00:00:15,445
in the Republic of Moldova,
lies Rezina Prison,
3
00:00:15,525 --> 00:00:18,365
Penitentiary Number 17.
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00:00:19,205 --> 00:00:23,445
A crumbling old Soviet
maximum security prison.
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The environment
is starting to close in on me.
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00:00:26,645 --> 00:00:28,925
I can't stop my heart pounding. [exhales]
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It houses Moldova's
most dangerous criminals.
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00:00:32,885 --> 00:00:35,005
[in Romanian] The girl was strangled.
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-[in English] Why did you do it, Lilian?
-[barking]
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00:00:38,045 --> 00:00:43,085
One-third of inmates are in for life,
with no hope of release.
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00:00:43,165 --> 00:00:45,205
How long have you been in this prison?
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[in Romanian] For 26 years.
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The question is, what is the actual goal
of the criminal punishment?
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Just for the person to die in prison?
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[Rowe in English]
They live in a harsh Soviet-style regime.
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00:01:00,365 --> 00:01:02,165
Thirty-two steps. That's what I'm doing.
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00:01:02,245 --> 00:01:04,885
Every time I walk up and down here,
I'm doing 32 steps.
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When was the last time
you went outside on the ground?
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Uh, I cannot remember.
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At the moment, they're just looking
down the abyss. There is no hope.
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[in Romanian] Just thrown in jail,
and that's it! That's it!
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[in Russian] That's it.
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[in English] My name is Raphael Rowe,
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and I was convicted
in the UK of a murder I did not commit
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and sentenced to life without parole.
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It took me 12 long years to clear my name.
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Now I'm traveling the globe
to discover what life is really like…
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[barks]
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…inside some of the world's
toughest prisons.
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[lock clicks]
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-Moldova, Eastern Europe.
-[chattering]
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A former Soviet state,
Moldova is the poorest country in Europe.
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The average person earns just $12 a day.
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Life is tough,
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and the murder rate
is one of the highest in Europe.
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The state comes down hard on criminals.
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Prison sentences here
are a staggering seven times longer
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00:02:25,125 --> 00:02:27,245
than the European average.
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And those found guilty of murder
serve a minimum of 30 years.
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[siren wailing]
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These lifers are sent
to the remote max security Rezina Prison,
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Penitentiary 17,
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and that is where I'm heading.
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[siren wailing]
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I'm now on my way
to Penitentiary Number 17 here in Moldova.
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00:03:02,965 --> 00:03:05,405
Now, I'm told that this prison is a place
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where many of the guys
that I'm gonna be sharing my time with
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are serving very,
very long prison sentences
49
00:03:12,685 --> 00:03:15,605
without any hope of ever being released.
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00:03:16,805 --> 00:03:21,725
Officially, a life sentence in Moldova
means you serve 30 years.
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00:03:21,805 --> 00:03:25,845
In reality,
no lifer has ever been let out.
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Some of these guys
would never have seen society
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00:03:29,765 --> 00:03:33,445
as it is today in this country,
the Western way of life.
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I don't know how they're gonna take to me,
and that is why I'm here.
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00:03:42,365 --> 00:03:45,605
Rezina Prison has a daunting reputation.
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Built under Joseph Stalin,
it's home to over 300 criminals.
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A hundred and six are lifers,
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and that's who
I'll be spending the next week with.
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[barking]
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-[officer] Raphael.
-[Rowe] Yes.
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[officer in Romanian] Year of birth?
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[Rowe in English] 1968.
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[officer] Let's go.
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[Rowe in English]
Being here feels like going back in time.
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00:04:15,445 --> 00:04:19,085
Torture and abuse of human rights
may be a thing of the past,
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00:04:20,965 --> 00:04:25,205
but how much else has really changed
since the Soviet era?
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00:04:25,845 --> 00:04:27,845
[crowd chattering and laughing]
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[Rowe] The environment
is starting to close in on me.
69
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I can't stop my heart pounding. [exhales]
70
00:04:40,485 --> 00:04:42,405
Before being put into a cell…
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[officer 1 in Romanian] Come in here.
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[Rowe in English]
…I'm ordered in for a medical.
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[officer 2 in Romanian]
Show me your legs and face.
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The year this happened?
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00:04:52,565 --> 00:04:55,245
[Rowe in English] 1988.
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My face was cut.
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Every scar I bear is carefully documented.
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[officer 2 in Romanian]
Fifteen centimeters.
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00:05:04,285 --> 00:05:06,885
What is this injury?
80
00:05:06,965 --> 00:05:08,285
[Rowe in English] A stab wound.
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I don't want word to get around
that I'm some sort of tough guy,
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or someone might wanna take me on.
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When you have such a distinctive scar
coming down the side of your face,
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it's gonna follow me around the prison.
85
00:05:21,725 --> 00:05:24,765
[doors and locks clanking shut]
86
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[officer 3 in Romanian]
Vasea, you open it. Run.
87
00:05:29,845 --> 00:05:32,925
-Go to the boss.
-[officer 1] Go upstairs.
88
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[Rowe in English] Next stop
is a one-to-one with a security officer.
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He'll decide who I'll be sharing
a tiny cell with for the next week.
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[officer 4 in Romanian]
You will be placed in a cell
91
00:05:46,285 --> 00:05:52,085
where there are two more prisoners
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00:05:52,965 --> 00:05:54,525
with life sentences.
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[Rowe in English] Do I need
to be fearful of my cellmates?
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00:05:59,485 --> 00:06:02,765
[officer 4 in Romanian]
Don't ask any questions
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00:06:02,845 --> 00:06:06,485
and don't start any arguments.
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[Rowe in English] This prison,
like many from the Soviet era,
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is ruled by a prison gang.
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The gang hierarchy is violently enforced
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against any inmates who step out of line.
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I'll be sharing a cell with two men
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who have chosen to live outside gang rule
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00:06:28,725 --> 00:06:32,645
in a separate part
of the prison with other gang refusers.
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I'm glad they're not part of the gang,
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but both my cellmates have been convicted
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of the most serious offenses.
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Here we go.
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[chuckles]
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-[all] Hello.
-[chuckling]
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[Rowe] Hello. English? Any English?
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Yes, I speak a little English.
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-[Rowe] Oh, you speak a little English.
-But he don't understand.
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[Rowe] He don't understand.
So you're gonna translate.
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-Sit here.
-[Rowe] Thank you.
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Um, let me introduce myself.
My name is Raphael.
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-My name is Max.
-Max.
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[man] Lilian.
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[Rowe] Lilian. Nice to meet you both.
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[men chattering and laughing]
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This is your space, and you've made me
feel welcome almost immediately.
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-Just by your smile. Just by smiling.
-[laughing]
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[Rowe] You know, it put me at ease,
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you know,
because when I was outside that door,
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you know, my heart's racing.
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Who are these guys?
What do they look like?
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You know, how old are they?
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-You know, are they gonna accept me?
-Uh-huh.
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Are they gonna welcome me, you know?
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How do you feel
about me coming into your space?
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It is important for us
if you are, uh, like us.
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We, um, spend a lot
of time, uh, in the room.
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Twenty-two hours.
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And we have only two hours to go outside.
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And it's very important to, um,
have a good relation between inmates.
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It's a big deal for us. [chuckles]
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What is the first thing I need to know
in order for me to…
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to cope, to survive?
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[in Romanian] I'd advise him
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to be just the way he is.
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Tell him.
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[Max in English]
Be as you are in your life.
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Uh, we will try to guide you.
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-And you've been here from…
-[Max] From '05.
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-'05. So, you've been in prison 16 years?
-Yeah.
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Yes. He is a little more.
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Something like 17.
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[Rowe] When-- when does your day end?
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[Max] The door is, uh, permanently closed,
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and when they need, they open.
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[officer] Raphael!
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[Rowe] It's a relief
that lifers Maxim and Lilian
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are making me feel comfortable.
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[Max] Oh, let me help.
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[Rowe] In prison,
respecting your cellmates is key,
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especially when you're
locked up together for 22 hours a day.
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I'll need them to guide me
through the hidden rules of this prison.
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00:09:18,405 --> 00:09:21,085
-Can you hold that bit, that corner?
-[Max] Yes, okay.
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[Rowe] But the first thing
I need help with is my bedding.
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[Lilian in Romanian]
Look, this goes here! Can't you manage it?
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-[Max in English] Three big men cannot.
-[laughing]
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[Rowe] That's one corner, right?
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And this is the other corner. That's it.
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[Lilian in Romanian] Tell him
this is what respect looks like.
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[Rowe in English]
A little help don't harm. That's it now.
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And that goes up there.
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[in Romanian] Somehow, the sheets
are too white, even for his first night.
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[laughing]
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[Max in English] It's too good!
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[Rowe] I'm gonna test the bed.
The mattress.
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-[Max] Yeah, try it.
-Quite hard.
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-[Max] Good morning.
-Good morning.
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[Max and Lilian laughing]
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-[Rowe snoring] Do you snore?
-No, no.
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Lilian sometimes.
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-[Rowe chuckling]
-Sometimes. I, no.
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-[Rowe] You don't snore.
-No.
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[Rowe] It's the end
of my first day in Rezina Prison,
177
00:10:16,405 --> 00:10:19,565
and time to use
the cell's en suite facilities.
178
00:10:22,005 --> 00:10:24,885
The only provisions
they've given me is this bar of soap,
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00:10:25,925 --> 00:10:29,485
and any man will know that this is
not the greatest shaver in the world.
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00:10:30,325 --> 00:10:31,845
Women may know that too.
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They give you a toothbrush.
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Bristles are not bad.
183
00:10:38,605 --> 00:10:40,725
Sensitive toothpaste,
which is a good thing,
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and it's a good tub.
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Um, and then a roll of toilet roll.
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My preference is white,
but I'll do with the brown.
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[chuckles]
188
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This is not just a bathroom.
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It's a space of privacy,
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because there is nowhere else
you can find privacy in this prison.
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Think about that.
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00:11:06,525 --> 00:11:09,405
[Rowe] The thing about this prison,
it's oppressive.
193
00:11:09,485 --> 00:11:11,605
It's so small. It's so tight.
194
00:11:11,685 --> 00:11:14,805
It's so contained
that you begin to tighten up.
195
00:11:16,005 --> 00:11:19,045
Watch carefully when you look at Max.
196
00:11:19,125 --> 00:11:22,125
He's a big guy, but he's crouched.
197
00:11:22,205 --> 00:11:24,325
And for me, that's about prison.
198
00:11:24,405 --> 00:11:28,885
That's about him trying to fit
into this environment, which is,
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00:11:28,965 --> 00:11:33,725
and I can't stress, really, really small.
200
00:11:36,005 --> 00:11:37,445
The water's freezing.
201
00:11:49,205 --> 00:11:52,685
My first morning
on the lifer's wing of Rezina Prison.
202
00:11:53,245 --> 00:11:56,725
Max has told me
that we'll be stuck in our tiny cell
203
00:11:56,805 --> 00:12:00,005
from the moment we wake up until 1:00 p.m.
204
00:12:00,765 --> 00:12:02,285
Then we'll be let out
205
00:12:02,365 --> 00:12:06,845
for two precious hours
of exercise and association.
206
00:12:06,925 --> 00:12:09,805
Lilian is not eating, uh, in the morning.
207
00:12:09,885 --> 00:12:12,805
He is drinking coffee
and smoke a cigarette.
208
00:12:12,885 --> 00:12:16,045
-[Rowe] That's his breakfast.
-[Max] And I am eating a little.
209
00:12:16,125 --> 00:12:20,805
-[Rowe] Okay.
-We eat everything our parents send us.
210
00:12:20,885 --> 00:12:24,645
We don't eat, uh, prison food
because it's not so good.
211
00:12:24,725 --> 00:12:27,445
Can you give me a little tour
of your cell?
212
00:12:27,525 --> 00:12:29,845
Talk me through
where we are and what we're seeing.
213
00:12:29,925 --> 00:12:34,605
This is my bed,
yes, for whole life. [chuckles]
214
00:12:34,685 --> 00:12:37,245
This is my television. I have books.
215
00:12:37,325 --> 00:12:39,005
[Rowe] What are the documents?
216
00:12:39,085 --> 00:12:42,085
Is that your case documents
or your study documents?
217
00:12:42,165 --> 00:12:45,565
[Max] Study, case, about work,
218
00:12:45,645 --> 00:12:50,245
our letters to president,
to prime minister,
219
00:12:50,325 --> 00:12:52,165
other ministers, everything.
220
00:12:52,245 --> 00:12:55,165
[Rowe] What, arguing for improvements
in your conditions?
221
00:12:55,245 --> 00:12:56,285
-Yes, yes.
-[Rowe] Okay.
222
00:12:57,085 --> 00:13:02,325
Maxim took part in an armed robbery,
in which a police officer was shot dead.
223
00:13:02,405 --> 00:13:04,445
He claims he didn't fire the gun,
224
00:13:04,525 --> 00:13:08,365
but he was convicted of murder
and given a life sentence.
225
00:13:09,205 --> 00:13:12,885
He's been here for 16 years,
and during that time,
226
00:13:12,965 --> 00:13:17,365
he's become Rezina's leading campaigner
for prison reform.
227
00:13:17,885 --> 00:13:21,725
One of his successes
was winning the right for prisoners
228
00:13:21,805 --> 00:13:24,445
to have computers in their cells.
229
00:13:24,525 --> 00:13:27,885
For this device, we fight for 14 years,
230
00:13:27,965 --> 00:13:32,245
and the judge decided to let us have this
231
00:13:32,325 --> 00:13:34,205
without Internet connection.
232
00:13:34,925 --> 00:13:37,925
[Rowe] Next was permission
for fridges in cells
233
00:13:38,005 --> 00:13:41,165
so inmates could keep
their precious food fresh.
234
00:13:41,245 --> 00:13:44,205
After this, everyone, 6,000--
235
00:13:44,285 --> 00:13:48,845
6,000 inmates were possible
to have not only fridge
236
00:13:48,925 --> 00:13:51,405
but other things like this.
237
00:13:51,485 --> 00:13:52,325
[Rowe] The kettle.
238
00:13:52,405 --> 00:13:55,685
-Like players, MP3, other things.
-[Rowe] Right. Yeah.
239
00:13:56,285 --> 00:14:00,645
Naturally, the inmates
have to buy these luxuries themselves.
240
00:14:00,725 --> 00:14:04,165
In fact, pretty much everything
in this cell
241
00:14:04,245 --> 00:14:08,925
has been built by Max and Lilian
and paid for by their families.
242
00:14:09,005 --> 00:14:11,565
This particular area here.
243
00:14:11,645 --> 00:14:12,685
[Max] We build it.
244
00:14:14,205 --> 00:14:16,045
-What, the whole cell?
-Yes.
245
00:14:16,125 --> 00:14:18,685
Okay. Lilian, am I gonna get my coffee?
246
00:14:18,765 --> 00:14:20,205
-I'm kind of--
-[Max] Lilian.
247
00:14:21,125 --> 00:14:22,605
I'm desperate for my coffee.
248
00:14:23,125 --> 00:14:24,685
[Max in Romanian] Lilian, make coffee.
249
00:14:24,765 --> 00:14:26,925
-[Lilian] There's no room.
-[Max] I'll make some room.
250
00:14:27,005 --> 00:14:28,405
[Max in English] I'm going because…
251
00:14:28,485 --> 00:14:31,605
Okay, okay. There's not enough space
for the three of us. Okay.
252
00:14:33,485 --> 00:14:34,925
I'm so impressed.
253
00:14:35,005 --> 00:14:37,485
They're doing natural life,
never to be released,
254
00:14:37,565 --> 00:14:41,365
and so they've taken it upon themselves
to make the cell
255
00:14:41,445 --> 00:14:46,125
where they're gonna spend
the rest of their life more habitable.
256
00:14:46,205 --> 00:14:48,285
They've tiled the floor.
They've put lino down.
257
00:14:48,365 --> 00:14:50,005
They've plastered the walls
and painted it.
258
00:14:50,085 --> 00:14:51,325
They've installed electricity.
259
00:14:51,405 --> 00:14:54,725
They've built a little kitchenette.
I've never seen anything like it.
260
00:14:55,885 --> 00:14:59,965
Max and Lilian
have shared this tiny cell for years.
261
00:15:01,525 --> 00:15:04,565
So, your specialty,
Lilian, is making coffee.
262
00:15:04,645 --> 00:15:05,805
[in Romanian] Yes.
263
00:15:07,125 --> 00:15:10,125
[Rowe in English] So, what's my job then?
Am I gonna have to do the washing up?
264
00:15:10,205 --> 00:15:14,645
Because you're making the coffee
and Maxim has made the porridge.
265
00:15:14,725 --> 00:15:17,485
[Lilian in Romanian]
After we eat, I clear the table, sweep,
266
00:15:17,565 --> 00:15:18,965
and Maxim washes the dishes.
267
00:15:19,045 --> 00:15:20,685
That's how we do it
268
00:15:20,765 --> 00:15:25,445
[chuckles] That's how we get along.
That's how we've always done it.
269
00:15:28,965 --> 00:15:31,765
[Rowe in English] At 1:00 p.m. on the dot,
the guard opens up.
270
00:15:38,205 --> 00:15:40,405
We're escorted to the prison roof,
271
00:15:40,485 --> 00:15:44,445
where Max introduces me
to the small group of prisoners
272
00:15:44,525 --> 00:15:47,965
who have also chosen
to live outside the prison gang rule.
273
00:15:51,685 --> 00:15:53,725
-Hello, people!
-Hello.
274
00:15:53,805 --> 00:15:57,005
[Rowe] Kept away
from the general prison population,
275
00:15:57,085 --> 00:15:59,125
this group are the only other inmates
276
00:15:59,205 --> 00:16:02,485
Max and Lilian
ever come into contact with.
277
00:16:02,565 --> 00:16:04,365
-Let's go.
-Max.
278
00:16:04,445 --> 00:16:07,805
-We are walking here. We are walking.
-[Rowe] This is your exercise?
279
00:16:07,885 --> 00:16:10,285
-[prisoner] No bars.
-[Rowe] This is the only space you got?
280
00:16:10,365 --> 00:16:12,885
Yes, this is our only space.
281
00:16:15,605 --> 00:16:20,285
[Rowe] It's hard to believe inmates
spend 22 hours a day in their cells
282
00:16:20,365 --> 00:16:25,165
and get just this small covered corridor
for their daily exercise.
283
00:16:26,525 --> 00:16:31,285
[Rowe] To deprive you of seeing the sky,
of touching the grass.
284
00:16:31,365 --> 00:16:34,085
That is cruel and inhumane.
285
00:16:35,085 --> 00:16:37,565
When was the last time
you went outside on the ground?
286
00:16:37,645 --> 00:16:40,165
[Max] Uh, I cannot remember.
287
00:16:40,685 --> 00:16:43,765
We try to walk, permanently walking.
288
00:16:43,845 --> 00:16:47,205
Right, 'cause this is the only chance
you get to stretch your legs.
289
00:16:49,485 --> 00:16:51,325
How long have you been here?
290
00:16:51,405 --> 00:16:52,445
[in Romanian] Twenty-seven.
291
00:16:52,525 --> 00:16:56,365
[in English] Twenty-seven years,
he's-- he's here.
292
00:16:56,445 --> 00:16:58,045
[prisoner] Made in USSR.
293
00:16:58,125 --> 00:16:59,925
[all laughing]
294
00:17:00,005 --> 00:17:04,005
I've counted the steps.
We can do 32 steps.
295
00:17:04,085 --> 00:17:07,445
That's what I'm doing. Every time I walk
up and down here, I'm doing 32 steps.
296
00:17:07,525 --> 00:17:11,685
So, when you next walk out
of your front door, take 32 steps,
297
00:17:11,765 --> 00:17:16,005
and that's what these guys have been doing
for years and years and years.
298
00:17:16,085 --> 00:17:18,085
Thirty-two steps. Think about that.
299
00:17:19,325 --> 00:17:21,005
Twenty-seven years, man.
300
00:17:21,085 --> 00:17:22,845
[in Russian] I almost went crazy.
301
00:17:23,725 --> 00:17:26,845
But thank God, I kept my sanity.
302
00:17:28,645 --> 00:17:31,965
[Rowe in English] Being barred
from going into the open air
303
00:17:32,045 --> 00:17:34,725
is part of the price this group pays
304
00:17:34,805 --> 00:17:37,845
for rejecting the prison's gang rules.
305
00:17:37,925 --> 00:17:41,925
[in Russian] We are trying to live
by the official rules of the prison.
306
00:17:42,005 --> 00:17:43,125
And follow the Bible.
307
00:17:44,565 --> 00:17:47,885
We don't support gangs,
or anything like that.
308
00:17:47,965 --> 00:17:50,725
[Max in English] It's a real possibility
that they can beat us,
309
00:17:50,805 --> 00:17:52,805
because we don't want to be with them.
310
00:17:52,885 --> 00:17:55,365
So you don't want
to think like them anymore.
311
00:17:55,445 --> 00:17:58,485
[Max] And if we were in there,
312
00:17:58,565 --> 00:18:03,725
I have no possibility
to write and to fight for my rights.
313
00:18:03,805 --> 00:18:06,405
-[Rowe] Unless the boss said you could.
-Yeah.
314
00:18:06,965 --> 00:18:11,085
[Rowe] Such is the power
of the crime bosses inside the prison
315
00:18:11,165 --> 00:18:14,485
that Max's group had
to beg the authorities
316
00:18:14,565 --> 00:18:17,165
to let them live outside gang rule.
317
00:18:17,245 --> 00:18:19,845
[Max] When we write an application
318
00:18:19,925 --> 00:18:23,765
that we don't want
to have a part of this group…
319
00:18:23,845 --> 00:18:25,445
-[Rowe] Mm-hmm.
-[Max] "Please help us."
320
00:18:25,525 --> 00:18:30,365
What the director of, um, prison did,
321
00:18:30,445 --> 00:18:34,085
he, uh, placed us separately.
322
00:18:34,165 --> 00:18:35,925
-Right. Okay.
-Not them.
323
00:18:36,005 --> 00:18:39,805
-No. For your safety and protection.
-Not them. Yeah.
324
00:18:39,885 --> 00:18:44,885
And now, uh,
we ask them why we cannot go outside
325
00:18:44,965 --> 00:18:48,245
and play football,
volleyball and other things.
326
00:18:48,325 --> 00:18:52,685
He told me, "We--
we cannot, uh, protect you there."
327
00:18:55,685 --> 00:18:59,325
[Rowe] Max and the other lifers
don't want to be corrupted.
328
00:18:59,405 --> 00:19:03,445
They also want to do certain things
like work, educate themself.
329
00:19:03,525 --> 00:19:05,565
But they're telling me
that you can't do that.
330
00:19:05,645 --> 00:19:09,125
And these organized crime bosses,
who are extremely wealthy,
331
00:19:09,205 --> 00:19:13,605
and I'm told they're paying
for some of the facilities in this prison,
332
00:19:13,685 --> 00:19:16,445
have huge control and influence.
333
00:19:16,525 --> 00:19:18,885
And Max and the guys
don't wanna be a part of that.
334
00:19:18,965 --> 00:19:20,325
And because of that,
335
00:19:20,405 --> 00:19:25,485
they're being almost
doubly punished in prison and segregated.
336
00:19:25,565 --> 00:19:27,565
[men chattering]
337
00:19:33,325 --> 00:19:35,365
[Rowe] Max's group of gang refusers
338
00:19:35,445 --> 00:19:38,565
spend longer in their cells
than other lifers.
339
00:19:40,405 --> 00:19:43,325
The hours staring at the same four walls
340
00:19:43,405 --> 00:19:47,005
takes me back to my own time in prison
341
00:19:47,085 --> 00:19:50,045
and the endless despair I felt.
342
00:19:59,285 --> 00:20:01,885
It's my third day in Rezina Prison.
343
00:20:02,565 --> 00:20:05,525
Once again, the morning hours creep by
344
00:20:05,605 --> 00:20:07,805
as the clock approaches lunchtime.
345
00:20:12,965 --> 00:20:14,965
[men chattering]
346
00:20:17,565 --> 00:20:21,245
[Rowe] The food the prison provides
is pretty disgusting,
347
00:20:21,325 --> 00:20:26,085
and my cellmates rarely eat it,
but Max has a lifeline.
348
00:20:26,165 --> 00:20:30,365
Just sitting in the cell,
waiting for Max to come back.
349
00:20:30,445 --> 00:20:32,485
Um, he's just gone to pick up a parcel.
350
00:20:33,525 --> 00:20:35,725
In places like this,
where they lack resources,
351
00:20:36,325 --> 00:20:40,645
family members sending you stuff
is-- is really important.
352
00:20:44,765 --> 00:20:47,045
[Max] Oh, I bring some food.
353
00:20:47,125 --> 00:20:48,485
[Rowe] Lots of goodies.
354
00:20:48,565 --> 00:20:50,605
[Lilian in Romanian, chuckles]
Surprises, surprises!
355
00:20:50,685 --> 00:20:53,205
[in English] I received
some food from my parents.
356
00:20:54,485 --> 00:20:56,125
-Uh…
-[Rowe] That come today?
357
00:20:56,205 --> 00:20:58,085
Or do they
keep it over there for a few days?
358
00:20:58,165 --> 00:21:01,925
No, they send me a parcel
through the post office.
359
00:21:02,725 --> 00:21:06,485
And they usually send me, uh, on Monday,
360
00:21:06,565 --> 00:21:08,885
and I can receive on Tuesday.
361
00:21:08,965 --> 00:21:11,125
[Rowe] Okay.
Do you tell them what to send?
362
00:21:11,205 --> 00:21:15,285
[Max] For a long time, yeah,
but, uh, they just know what I need.
363
00:21:15,805 --> 00:21:18,725
[Rowe] Can the parcels be
as big or as small as you want?
364
00:21:18,805 --> 00:21:23,485
You can receive such a--
this parcel and like this.
365
00:21:23,565 --> 00:21:24,525
[Rowe] Okay.
366
00:21:24,605 --> 00:21:28,445
[Max] We can receive
per week only one from one person.
367
00:21:28,525 --> 00:21:32,085
Okay, so, Mom, sister could
send you something separately.
368
00:21:32,165 --> 00:21:33,245
Yeah.
369
00:21:34,205 --> 00:21:36,485
-Jeez, I'm feeling really spoiled.
-[Max] Yeah, my--
370
00:21:36,565 --> 00:21:38,205
My parents are old.
371
00:21:38,285 --> 00:21:41,765
My father is 81, and my mother's 71.
372
00:21:42,405 --> 00:21:44,365
[Rowe] So they're retired.
They're not working or--
373
00:21:44,445 --> 00:21:50,285
Yeah, but they help me as-- as they can.
374
00:21:51,925 --> 00:21:56,405
[Rowe] Lifers like Max are banned
from doing paid work in the prison,
375
00:21:56,485 --> 00:21:59,965
so they all depend
on family for basic provisions.
376
00:22:00,645 --> 00:22:04,325
His latest campaign
is to be allowed to work
377
00:22:04,405 --> 00:22:06,645
so he can still afford decent food
378
00:22:06,725 --> 00:22:10,365
when his parents
are no longer able to support him.
379
00:22:22,405 --> 00:22:25,125
After just a few days at Rezina Prison,
380
00:22:25,205 --> 00:22:29,765
I'm already feeling the pressure
of spending so long in a confined space.
381
00:22:32,485 --> 00:22:36,365
Our group of prisoners
can't go to the yard to play football.
382
00:22:36,445 --> 00:22:40,725
But when the prison allows us,
there is an indoor sport we can play.
383
00:22:41,605 --> 00:22:45,365
So I've just been taken out
of my cell to go to the recreational area,
384
00:22:45,445 --> 00:22:47,965
where I'm told I'm gonna be
allowed to play some table tennis
385
00:22:48,045 --> 00:22:49,365
with some of the other prisoners.
386
00:22:49,445 --> 00:22:51,245
-[lock clanking]
-Just look around you.
387
00:22:51,325 --> 00:22:54,605
I mean, this is the corridor
of some of the lifers,
388
00:22:54,685 --> 00:22:56,165
which is where they stay.
389
00:22:57,245 --> 00:23:00,765
That's what we're talking about.
That's the width of this corridor.
390
00:23:00,845 --> 00:23:02,845
[chattering]
391
00:23:05,205 --> 00:23:07,365
-[prisoner] Hello.
-Oh, how are you doing?
392
00:23:07,445 --> 00:23:10,685
I didn't recognize you
without your hat and stuff.
393
00:23:10,765 --> 00:23:13,165
He is a hero in, uh, table tennis.
394
00:23:13,245 --> 00:23:15,325
-[in Russian] Play him first.
-[in Romanian] Let's go.
395
00:23:15,405 --> 00:23:17,565
-[Max in English] He's waiting for you.
-He's waiting.
396
00:23:18,285 --> 00:23:20,045
My ambition is to get three from the 11.
397
00:23:20,125 --> 00:23:22,405
He's been playing table tennis
for 27 years.
398
00:23:22,485 --> 00:23:25,565
I played it in when I was in prison.
Twelve years.
399
00:23:25,645 --> 00:23:28,845
He's got 27 years,
so let's see if I can get three points.
400
00:23:30,965 --> 00:23:32,885
[in Romanian] England. Moldova.
Concede defeat!
401
00:23:32,965 --> 00:23:34,845
-[Rowe in English] I see. I see.
-[laughing]
402
00:23:34,925 --> 00:23:36,805
[Rowe] Can't beat us in the football.
403
00:23:37,365 --> 00:23:38,325
[huffs]
404
00:23:40,045 --> 00:23:42,685
Looks like I've been matched
against the local champion.
405
00:23:45,925 --> 00:23:49,085
[Max in Russian]
Have mercy! Have mercy on him!
406
00:23:49,165 --> 00:23:50,245
[laughing]
407
00:23:50,845 --> 00:23:52,445
[Rowe in English] That was aggressive.
408
00:23:53,165 --> 00:23:55,365
So, how often can you
come and play table tennis?
409
00:23:55,445 --> 00:23:56,805
[Max] Two times per week.
410
00:23:57,365 --> 00:23:58,845
-[Rowe] Okay.
-[Max] For three hours.
411
00:24:04,365 --> 00:24:06,165
This is so painful.
412
00:24:12,005 --> 00:24:14,205
-[Rowe cheers]
-[laughing]
413
00:24:14,285 --> 00:24:16,925
[Max] One! One point!
414
00:24:17,005 --> 00:24:18,805
This table is not so good.
415
00:24:18,885 --> 00:24:21,445
-[Rowe] No. That-- that's why I'm losing.
-[laughing]
416
00:24:24,285 --> 00:24:26,685
-[shouts]
-[laughing]
417
00:24:29,725 --> 00:24:31,485
[playing ping-pong]
418
00:24:34,085 --> 00:24:35,445
Do you know the one thing
419
00:24:36,485 --> 00:24:38,885
beyond the-- the table tennis
420
00:24:40,245 --> 00:24:42,845
is the fact that they have smiles
on their face,
421
00:24:42,925 --> 00:24:45,605
and this is not a place
where you can smile very often.
422
00:24:45,685 --> 00:24:46,525
That's for sure.
423
00:24:46,605 --> 00:24:49,325
It's a bit of, um, escapism, isn't it?
424
00:24:49,405 --> 00:24:54,005
It's a moment where they
can forget their-- their surroundings.
425
00:24:54,085 --> 00:24:56,325
This is what they do to exert that energy,
426
00:24:56,405 --> 00:24:58,805
release that frustration, that stress.
427
00:25:01,845 --> 00:25:06,205
The lifers of Rezina know
that under Moldova's legal system,
428
00:25:06,285 --> 00:25:10,765
it's unlikely they'll ever be set free,
whether they've reformed or not.
429
00:25:12,405 --> 00:25:16,685
Max's biggest challenge yet is
to change the sentencing rules.
430
00:25:19,205 --> 00:25:21,685
He introduces me to Sergei,
431
00:25:21,765 --> 00:25:24,605
who's already been locked up for 20 years.
432
00:25:26,085 --> 00:25:28,405
How old was you when you came into prison?
433
00:25:29,365 --> 00:25:30,925
[in Russian] Nineteen years.
434
00:25:31,005 --> 00:25:33,645
[in English] And the life sentence is
for murder?
435
00:25:33,725 --> 00:25:35,645
-Yes.
-[Rowe] Yes.
436
00:25:35,725 --> 00:25:38,205
[Sergei in Romanian] I didn't participate
directly in the murder.
437
00:25:38,285 --> 00:25:39,925
[Max in English] He participate in crime.
438
00:25:40,005 --> 00:25:42,965
There are three guys, and he was driver.
439
00:25:43,045 --> 00:25:45,045
-[Rowe] He was the driver?
-He was the driver. Yes.
440
00:25:45,125 --> 00:25:50,325
But he didn't, um,
participate directly in the murder.
441
00:25:50,405 --> 00:25:54,125
So the-- the judges and the politicians,
they don't say to you,
442
00:25:54,205 --> 00:25:56,405
"Sergei, you've got to serve 25 years
443
00:25:56,485 --> 00:25:58,565
before you can
even be considered for release?"
444
00:25:58,645 --> 00:26:00,205
-Or 20 years?
-[Max] No. No.
445
00:26:00,285 --> 00:26:02,605
-[Rowe] No?
-[Max] Only 30 years for all of us.
446
00:26:02,685 --> 00:26:04,885
-So, life means 30 years minimum?
-[Max] Yeah.
447
00:26:04,965 --> 00:26:06,285
-[chattering]
-[Max] Minimum, yeah.
448
00:26:06,365 --> 00:26:11,685
There are no lifers in our history
that were released.
449
00:26:12,405 --> 00:26:17,005
[Rowe] A few years ago, these lifers
thought they'd been thrown a lifeline.
450
00:26:18,245 --> 00:26:21,445
In, uh, 2016,
451
00:26:21,525 --> 00:26:25,805
our politicians, uh, released European law
452
00:26:25,885 --> 00:26:29,285
uh, which have
a possibility for teenagers,
453
00:26:29,365 --> 00:26:35,565
yes, who, uh, committed crimes
between 18 and 21,
454
00:26:35,645 --> 00:26:37,525
to lower the sentence.
455
00:26:38,325 --> 00:26:40,445
-This law was for everyone.
-Okay.
456
00:26:40,525 --> 00:26:45,645
And the judge said all to us,
for him, for me personal,
457
00:26:45,725 --> 00:26:50,765
"But you are lifers,
and this law cannot be applied to you."
458
00:26:51,365 --> 00:26:55,965
-[Sergei] It's very strange.
-For everyone is applied, but for us, no.
459
00:26:57,285 --> 00:26:58,765
[Sergei in Romanian] The question is,
460
00:26:59,485 --> 00:27:02,885
what is the goal
of the criminal punishment?
461
00:27:02,965 --> 00:27:05,885
Just for the person to die in the prison?
462
00:27:06,965 --> 00:27:07,845
Very weird.
463
00:27:11,805 --> 00:27:15,365
[Rowe in English] Max and Sergei
have challenged their life sentences,
464
00:27:15,445 --> 00:27:18,805
but so far,
their appeals have been rejected,
465
00:27:19,485 --> 00:27:24,085
so they face the prospect of spending
the rest of their lives at Rezina,
466
00:27:24,165 --> 00:27:27,485
locked up 22 hours a day.
467
00:27:31,525 --> 00:27:34,445
After ping-pong, we pass the only window
468
00:27:34,525 --> 00:27:38,485
where the lifers on my wing
can see the outside world.
469
00:27:40,525 --> 00:27:43,245
[Rowe] It's so close, yet it's so far.
I mean, there is freedom.
470
00:27:44,005 --> 00:27:48,565
[Max] The first years when I was here,
yeah, it was maybe a pain for me.
471
00:27:49,125 --> 00:27:51,845
But when I know when I am a lifer,
472
00:27:52,365 --> 00:27:54,525
I… I understand it.
473
00:27:55,125 --> 00:27:56,605
[Rowe] What do you mean?
474
00:27:56,685 --> 00:27:59,925
[Max] Because, uh,
when you have years, years, for example,
475
00:28:00,005 --> 00:28:03,125
you know
it's a real possibility to be there.
476
00:28:03,205 --> 00:28:05,805
But when you're a lifer,
you have no chance.
477
00:28:07,805 --> 00:28:10,365
Our chance is, uh, so little.
478
00:28:10,445 --> 00:28:13,965
[chuckles] And I cannot say
it is chance for real.
479
00:28:18,605 --> 00:28:22,805
[Rowe] When you look these guys
in the eyes, you can see there is no hope.
480
00:28:24,485 --> 00:28:26,285
And I know what that feeling's like,
481
00:28:26,365 --> 00:28:31,365
when you never know if you're
ever gonna be released from prison.
482
00:28:32,125 --> 00:28:35,965
No man or woman on earth
should live without hope,
483
00:28:36,045 --> 00:28:37,605
and they have no hope.
484
00:28:38,205 --> 00:28:40,485
They need to be given something
485
00:28:40,565 --> 00:28:43,245
that says, "One day you may be released."
486
00:28:43,765 --> 00:28:46,685
At the moment, they're just looking
down the abyss. There is no hope.
487
00:28:54,485 --> 00:28:57,605
Max's campaign has given his life purpose.
488
00:28:57,685 --> 00:29:00,845
And today, I'm meeting
two enterprising lifers
489
00:29:00,925 --> 00:29:05,605
who live inside the gang-controlled zone
who have also found a way to survive.
490
00:29:06,565 --> 00:29:11,045
As with all lifers, they're not allowed
to earn money doing official work.
491
00:29:11,565 --> 00:29:14,245
But using their own
equipment and resources,
492
00:29:14,325 --> 00:29:17,765
they've built
a carpentry workshop from scratch.
493
00:29:19,565 --> 00:29:22,125
From here, I can just see the yard,
494
00:29:22,205 --> 00:29:26,405
where these prisoners
who follow gang rules can play football.
495
00:29:28,245 --> 00:29:29,085
Anatol.
496
00:29:29,165 --> 00:29:30,965
-Raphael. Anatol.
-Anatol.
497
00:29:31,045 --> 00:29:31,885
[in Romanian] Yes.
498
00:29:31,965 --> 00:29:33,565
-[in English] And this is?
-Dema.
499
00:29:33,645 --> 00:29:35,165
-Dema. Dema.
-Dema.
500
00:29:38,245 --> 00:29:43,245
[in Romanian] With this tool,
we shape the wood.
501
00:29:45,605 --> 00:29:47,885
With this one, we cut.
502
00:29:51,485 --> 00:29:53,925
[in English] I'm terrified
that the tool's just gonna fly up
503
00:29:54,005 --> 00:29:55,405
and hit me or him in the face.
504
00:29:55,485 --> 00:30:00,205
Got no protective gear on,
so he obviously trusts his own ability.
505
00:30:04,325 --> 00:30:07,045
The prison really doesn't
provide these facilities,
506
00:30:07,125 --> 00:30:08,445
and so these guys
507
00:30:09,845 --> 00:30:11,885
have really taken the initiative
508
00:30:12,885 --> 00:30:14,525
to put together a workshop
509
00:30:14,605 --> 00:30:17,285
where they can come
and escape from their cells.
510
00:30:21,325 --> 00:30:23,725
[Anatol] We are making a jewelry box.
511
00:30:23,805 --> 00:30:26,765
[in English] Yeah, show me what to do.
I will-- I will have a go.
512
00:30:26,845 --> 00:30:28,085
[Anatol in Romanian] Like this.
513
00:30:30,805 --> 00:30:33,485
[Rowe in English] All right, okay.
That's how you make the center.
514
00:30:34,165 --> 00:30:35,005
Okay.
515
00:30:37,965 --> 00:30:38,885
[grunts]
516
00:30:39,885 --> 00:30:40,925
Okay.
517
00:30:41,525 --> 00:30:45,005
[in Romanian] Like this. Like this.
Like this. Put your hand here. Like this.
518
00:30:45,085 --> 00:30:46,245
[Rowe in English] Okay.
519
00:30:47,165 --> 00:30:51,165
You gotta put your muscle in it as well,
because this is really hard. [chuckles]
520
00:30:51,805 --> 00:30:54,605
Then what do you do
with these once you've finished?
521
00:30:54,685 --> 00:30:57,485
[in Romanian] Before the pandemic,
522
00:30:57,565 --> 00:31:03,365
the prison auctioned them for us.
523
00:31:03,445 --> 00:31:09,325
They gave us 50% of the money
and put it in our prison accounts.
524
00:31:10,045 --> 00:31:15,725
No, no. From here.
Like this. You should do it like this.
525
00:31:15,805 --> 00:31:17,005
[in English] Ah, see.
526
00:31:17,085 --> 00:31:18,605
[in Romanian] Make it the same as this.
527
00:31:18,685 --> 00:31:20,325
[in English] Oh, so it's like that. Okay.
528
00:31:20,965 --> 00:31:23,605
What do you do with the 50% that you get?
529
00:31:24,525 --> 00:31:28,405
[Anatol in Romanian]
Paying our electricity bill here
530
00:31:28,485 --> 00:31:30,765
and buying things from the market.
531
00:31:31,725 --> 00:31:34,125
Here we need money.
532
00:31:34,205 --> 00:31:35,925
-[in English] My hands are--
-[both laughing]
533
00:31:36,005 --> 00:31:37,725
-It's gone-- This one's red.
-[chattering]
534
00:31:37,805 --> 00:31:39,965
[Rowe] It's hard.
Your hands are tough, man.
535
00:31:42,765 --> 00:31:46,645
Dema was convicted
of a double murder as a young man.
536
00:31:47,565 --> 00:31:50,125
How long have you been in prison?
537
00:31:50,205 --> 00:31:51,605
[in Romanian] For 26 years.
538
00:31:52,325 --> 00:31:54,925
[in English] You've been
in prison for 26 years.
539
00:31:55,565 --> 00:31:57,925
[in Romanian] And 20 years here in Rezina.
540
00:31:59,925 --> 00:32:02,245
I am here five days a week.
541
00:32:03,045 --> 00:32:06,125
You are free in your own mind.
542
00:32:06,805 --> 00:32:09,525
You are one-on-one with the tool
and with what you do.
543
00:32:10,165 --> 00:32:11,605
This is pleasure.
544
00:32:12,885 --> 00:32:16,845
Whether we are in detention
or in freedom, we must work.
545
00:32:16,925 --> 00:32:18,165
That's why we're men.
546
00:32:20,885 --> 00:32:24,325
[Rowe in English] It's great to see that
even under this tough prison regime,
547
00:32:24,405 --> 00:32:28,925
there is, for some,
enterprise and creativity.
548
00:32:29,005 --> 00:32:32,485
Every lifer needs something
to get them through.
549
00:32:32,565 --> 00:32:34,565
I studied law when I was inside.
550
00:32:36,605 --> 00:32:40,765
Back in the cell, Lilian shows me
how he's dealing with his sentence.
551
00:32:44,125 --> 00:32:46,405
[Lilian in Romanian]
I have whole notebooks.
552
00:32:46,485 --> 00:32:51,685
I write about my life.
I write about my past.
553
00:32:51,765 --> 00:32:54,645
I write about my present.
I write about my future.
554
00:32:55,925 --> 00:32:57,205
Everything.
555
00:32:57,285 --> 00:32:59,405
[Rowe in English]
And are these like a diary?
556
00:32:59,925 --> 00:33:03,805
[Lilian in Romanian]
I put my soul into this and my heart.
557
00:33:03,885 --> 00:33:10,005
Each word is written
with a tear of blood, because
558
00:33:11,045 --> 00:33:13,165
for me, the thought of my family is all.
559
00:33:15,005 --> 00:33:18,085
I like music a lot.
560
00:33:19,685 --> 00:33:22,525
[Rowe in English]
Lilian has even become a songwriter.
561
00:33:23,485 --> 00:33:26,685
Oh, so that's what you keep
under the bed, the musical device.
562
00:33:26,765 --> 00:33:30,485
[Max] Yes.
He's using when he want to sing.
563
00:33:31,405 --> 00:33:33,405
[Rowe] Do you ever join him and do a duo?
564
00:33:34,005 --> 00:33:36,045
No, no, I'm not singing at all.
565
00:33:36,125 --> 00:33:38,085
-I don't have voice.
-[laughing]
566
00:33:38,925 --> 00:33:43,165
Can you believe this is actually
happening inside a lifers' wing
567
00:33:43,245 --> 00:33:45,725
with a lifer who's actually
never gonna be released?
568
00:33:45,805 --> 00:33:47,245
[upbeat music playing]
569
00:33:47,325 --> 00:33:49,685
[Lilian] I don't want
to disturb other inmates,
570
00:33:49,765 --> 00:33:51,445
so I've turned it down a bit.
571
00:33:51,525 --> 00:33:53,525
[muffled music playing]
572
00:33:57,605 --> 00:34:00,445
♪ There is a voice brought by the wind ♪
573
00:34:02,525 --> 00:34:06,405
♪ It's like your voice, honey
Whispering ♪
574
00:34:07,605 --> 00:34:10,885
♪ You left me a long time ago ♪
575
00:34:12,565 --> 00:34:15,845
♪ My wounded and sorrowful soul ♪
576
00:34:17,685 --> 00:34:19,365
♪ You left me a long time ago… ♪
577
00:34:19,445 --> 00:34:20,805
[in English] I'm impressed.
578
00:34:21,805 --> 00:34:24,285
I wanna join in, you know? [chuckles]
579
00:34:27,525 --> 00:34:31,165
[in Romanian] ♪ There is a voice
Brought by the wind ♪
580
00:34:32,885 --> 00:34:35,965
♪ It's like your voice, honey
Whispering ♪
581
00:34:38,005 --> 00:34:41,885
[in English] ♪ I hear
Your love by the wind ♪
582
00:34:42,885 --> 00:34:45,765
♪ It's like your voice whispering… ♪
583
00:34:45,845 --> 00:34:47,645
Oh, it's great! [laughs]
584
00:34:48,205 --> 00:34:51,445
[in Romanian] ♪ My tears are now dry ♪
585
00:34:52,805 --> 00:34:56,405
♪ The tears of love once flowed ♪
586
00:34:57,805 --> 00:34:59,805
[Rowe in English]
Lilian, does that help you escape?
587
00:34:59,885 --> 00:35:04,405
[sighs, in Romanian]
I don't know if anything really helps.
588
00:35:04,965 --> 00:35:07,965
I've been living with this for 18 years.
589
00:35:08,045 --> 00:35:11,685
This is my inner pain.
590
00:35:11,765 --> 00:35:13,085
My torment.
591
00:35:14,045 --> 00:35:16,965
And that's what I live with.
My only hope is with God.
592
00:35:23,685 --> 00:35:25,405
[Rowe in English] In my time behind bars,
593
00:35:25,485 --> 00:35:29,125
I met both inmates
who are tormented by their crimes
594
00:35:29,205 --> 00:35:31,965
and some who show just no remorse at all.
595
00:35:33,485 --> 00:35:36,925
So far,
I haven't asked Lilian about what he did
596
00:35:37,445 --> 00:35:40,045
and what he feels about it now.
597
00:35:43,485 --> 00:35:45,485
[scraping]
598
00:35:48,565 --> 00:35:50,565
[scraping continues]
599
00:35:52,205 --> 00:35:56,685
[Rowe] Today, my task is
to help Lilian prepare dinner.
600
00:35:59,885 --> 00:36:01,885
[Rowe]
You're giving me the harder stuff to do.
601
00:36:01,965 --> 00:36:05,725
[in Romanian] Yes?
This is the easiest job I can offer you.
602
00:36:05,805 --> 00:36:09,005
[Rowe in English] You want me
to cut this the same way you cut yours.
603
00:36:09,085 --> 00:36:13,845
Lilian is keen to make sure
I don't waste a single mouthful.
604
00:36:14,685 --> 00:36:16,485
[Rowe] You like my technique?
605
00:36:16,565 --> 00:36:18,285
[Lilian in Romanian] A little smaller!
606
00:36:19,205 --> 00:36:22,525
My question is,
why are you ruining this food?
607
00:36:24,925 --> 00:36:28,245
[Rowe in English] Will you share
with me why-- why you're in prison?
608
00:36:28,325 --> 00:36:30,085
I really want to know.
609
00:36:30,165 --> 00:36:31,885
[inhales]
610
00:36:31,965 --> 00:36:37,045
[in Romanian] I killed a woman
and her niece.
611
00:36:39,205 --> 00:36:42,165
I would plow for them.
I would bring them wood, help them.
612
00:36:42,885 --> 00:36:46,565
The cause of all this was alcohol.
613
00:36:48,325 --> 00:36:49,765
[in English] How old were they?
614
00:36:50,445 --> 00:36:54,485
[in Romanian] Oh, the niece was
615
00:36:54,565 --> 00:36:57,485
17 or 18 years old.
616
00:37:00,085 --> 00:37:01,925
But Grandma,
617
00:37:02,685 --> 00:37:06,565
60 or 55, something like that.
I don't remember.
618
00:37:08,165 --> 00:37:10,845
[Rowe in English] And, um,
I know you were drunk at the time,
619
00:37:10,925 --> 00:37:12,605
but how did you kill them?
620
00:37:12,685 --> 00:37:13,765
What happened?
621
00:37:14,445 --> 00:37:16,565
[in Romanian] The girl was strangled,
622
00:37:17,325 --> 00:37:21,085
and the grandmother
was hit on the head with stone.
623
00:37:22,165 --> 00:37:23,005
That's how.
624
00:37:23,085 --> 00:37:26,645
[in English] Why? Why--
why did you do it, Lilian? You-- you--
625
00:37:27,485 --> 00:37:31,525
In the days that I've met you,
you don't seem the kind of guy
626
00:37:31,605 --> 00:37:35,365
that would do something so horrific.
627
00:37:35,445 --> 00:37:41,325
[in Romanian] I still can't explain
to myself why it happened!
628
00:37:42,405 --> 00:37:44,485
I had everything, you know?
629
00:37:44,565 --> 00:37:45,725
Alcohol!
630
00:37:45,805 --> 00:37:48,805
Alcohol causes
the biggest problems on earth!
631
00:37:53,805 --> 00:37:56,405
[men chattering and laughing]
632
00:37:58,485 --> 00:38:02,285
[Rowe in English] I asked the guard
to release me from the cell for a moment.
633
00:38:09,285 --> 00:38:10,645
I wasn't expecting that.
634
00:38:10,725 --> 00:38:13,925
I don't know
whether it shocked or surprised me.
635
00:38:14,645 --> 00:38:18,005
He's killed two people,
an old woman and a young girl.
636
00:38:18,085 --> 00:38:20,965
Um, and there's that classic saying,
637
00:38:21,045 --> 00:38:22,685
"Don't judge a book by its cover."
638
00:38:22,765 --> 00:38:24,405
And-- and that's what I've tried to do.
639
00:38:24,485 --> 00:38:27,325
I've met these guys,
didn't know anything about their crimes,
640
00:38:27,405 --> 00:38:30,285
and over the period of a few days,
we've got to know each other.
641
00:38:30,365 --> 00:38:31,485
We've had giggles.
642
00:38:31,565 --> 00:38:34,605
We've had intense conversations
about the conditions here.
643
00:38:34,685 --> 00:38:36,765
And then the bombshell's dropped.
644
00:38:36,845 --> 00:38:40,085
He's in here for two murders,
and-- and they weren't just any murders.
645
00:38:40,165 --> 00:38:42,925
They were quite savage.
Two defenseless women.
646
00:38:44,485 --> 00:38:49,165
And I can't help but admit
that it changes my view of Lilian.
647
00:38:49,685 --> 00:38:52,485
You-- you know,
I can't pretend that I wasn't affected
648
00:38:52,565 --> 00:38:53,925
by what he had to say,
649
00:38:54,645 --> 00:38:56,765
the description
of the crime that he committed
650
00:38:56,845 --> 00:38:58,885
and how he committed those crimes.
651
00:38:58,965 --> 00:39:00,925
It makes me question my own judgment
652
00:39:01,005 --> 00:39:04,885
about whether they should or shouldn't
be doing 30 years or natural life.
653
00:39:06,565 --> 00:39:09,765
With dinner ready,
I head back into the cell.
654
00:39:11,245 --> 00:39:12,165
Me here?
655
00:39:12,245 --> 00:39:14,725
[in Romanian] Sit there.
I need another chair.
656
00:39:14,805 --> 00:39:16,725
I don't know where the little one is.
657
00:39:16,805 --> 00:39:18,485
[Rowe] Ah!
658
00:39:18,565 --> 00:39:21,045
[Lilian laughs] This is spare,
like for guests.
659
00:39:21,125 --> 00:39:23,125
-[laughing]
-[Rowe] Mmm!
660
00:39:24,525 --> 00:39:26,725
-[in English] Mmm. Well done.
-Mm-hmm.
661
00:39:26,805 --> 00:39:28,045
-Mmm!
-[chattering]
662
00:39:29,165 --> 00:39:31,085
[Lilian in Romanian]
You heard what I told you.
663
00:39:31,885 --> 00:39:32,965
What I ask you is,
664
00:39:34,165 --> 00:39:37,285
do I deserve life imprisonment or not?
665
00:39:38,085 --> 00:39:40,245
[in English] When I came into your cell,
666
00:39:40,325 --> 00:39:42,165
I knew nothing about you.
667
00:39:42,245 --> 00:39:45,285
All I knew that
you were serving a life sentence,
668
00:39:45,365 --> 00:39:49,405
and that you were in this cell
condemned for many, many years.
669
00:39:50,005 --> 00:39:53,045
I believe
everyone deserves a second chance.
670
00:39:54,005 --> 00:39:55,685
That's the most important thing.
671
00:39:56,285 --> 00:39:57,485
[Lilian in Romanian] You know--
672
00:39:57,565 --> 00:39:59,165
[in English] I haven't finished yet.
673
00:39:59,245 --> 00:40:01,725
I'm shocked by the crimes you committed,
674
00:40:03,085 --> 00:40:07,245
but I was lucky to meet you
before you told me what you did,
675
00:40:07,325 --> 00:40:10,045
because that's the man I got to know
676
00:40:10,605 --> 00:40:12,605
and not the man who committed the crimes.
677
00:40:12,685 --> 00:40:14,605
[Lilian in Romanian] Years have passed.
678
00:40:15,845 --> 00:40:16,685
Years!
679
00:40:16,765 --> 00:40:22,565
Nobody assesses whether I've changed.
680
00:40:22,645 --> 00:40:26,725
Just thrown in jail, and that's it.
681
00:40:28,765 --> 00:40:29,965
[in Russian] That's it!
682
00:40:33,205 --> 00:40:35,205
[men chattering]
683
00:40:56,525 --> 00:40:59,885
[Rowe in English]
My time at Rezina Prison is nearly over.
684
00:40:59,965 --> 00:41:04,045
It's time to say goodbye
to Lilian and Max.
685
00:41:05,005 --> 00:41:07,645
You've shown me,
in the conversations we've had
686
00:41:07,725 --> 00:41:09,285
and the people that I've met,
687
00:41:09,365 --> 00:41:11,245
that even with having to live
688
00:41:11,325 --> 00:41:13,765
with maybe
never being released from prison,
689
00:41:14,445 --> 00:41:16,605
you two and the other lifers
690
00:41:16,685 --> 00:41:22,045
all have this very small fire inside
which I would describe as hope.
691
00:41:22,605 --> 00:41:27,325
And somehow, even under these
extreme conditions, you keep it alight.
692
00:41:27,405 --> 00:41:29,725
You know, it could quite easily go out,
couldn't it?
693
00:41:29,805 --> 00:41:31,085
[Rowe] But you've decided that
694
00:41:32,245 --> 00:41:34,245
there is a future for you.
695
00:41:34,325 --> 00:41:36,005
When that comes, nobody knows.
696
00:41:36,085 --> 00:41:38,365
You don't know.
Hopefully things will change.
697
00:41:38,445 --> 00:41:41,205
We call it some-- some kind of big fight
698
00:41:41,285 --> 00:41:44,565
for-- for our,
um, possibility to be released,
699
00:41:44,645 --> 00:41:48,125
or to demonstrate that we are also humans
700
00:41:48,205 --> 00:41:50,925
and we can have a chance, second chance.
701
00:41:51,005 --> 00:41:57,965
[in Romanian] The most important thing
about hope is that it does die last.
702
00:41:58,765 --> 00:42:02,245
Just don't forget, for me,
the torment and suffering go on.
703
00:42:03,285 --> 00:42:04,925
[Rowe in English] Look, I need to go.
704
00:42:05,005 --> 00:42:07,245
-Because if I don't go, I'll never go.
-Okay.
705
00:42:07,325 --> 00:42:10,325
-[Max] You, friend. We're your friends.
-[Lilian] Friend. Friends.
706
00:42:10,405 --> 00:42:12,445
-[Max and Lilian] Friend.
-[Rowe chuckles] Friend.
707
00:42:12,525 --> 00:42:15,885
[Max] You see how you're fast,
uh, released.
708
00:42:15,965 --> 00:42:18,485
[Lilian in Romanian, laughs]
The law is functioning as it should.
709
00:42:18,565 --> 00:42:19,885
[Max in English] Law is working.
710
00:42:19,965 --> 00:42:22,605
I'm getting out, so there is hope.
There is hope.
711
00:42:22,685 --> 00:42:24,365
You gotta keep that fire alive.
712
00:42:24,965 --> 00:42:26,845
We hope to meet you outside.
713
00:42:26,925 --> 00:42:27,765
One day.
714
00:42:27,845 --> 00:42:29,845
[Max] One day. Bye.
715
00:42:29,925 --> 00:42:30,805
[Lilian] Bye-bye.
716
00:42:37,285 --> 00:42:41,045
[Rowe] For me, these prisoners
do deserve a genuine chance
717
00:42:41,125 --> 00:42:42,965
of being freed one day.
718
00:42:43,685 --> 00:42:46,565
Things are beginning to change in Moldova,
719
00:42:47,085 --> 00:42:48,605
but inside Rezina,
720
00:42:48,685 --> 00:42:52,685
it feels like
the wheels are turning painfully slowly.
721
00:42:57,445 --> 00:42:58,285
[exhales]
722
00:42:58,365 --> 00:43:02,605
This is a harsh, run-down prison
that's oppressive and claustrophobic.
723
00:43:02,685 --> 00:43:05,525
Many people here
are serving long sentences,
724
00:43:05,605 --> 00:43:07,925
making for a tough prison experience.
725
00:43:08,005 --> 00:43:10,925
The criminal code
makes it even tougher for many here,
726
00:43:11,005 --> 00:43:15,045
who, under the current law,
may never see the outside world again.
727
00:43:28,485 --> 00:43:30,485
[theme music playing]