Translated material
Prison people. Snitch
Arkady Bondar is a tall young guy with a big smile on his handsome face. Suitable for every newcomer sitting lost in his bunk in the adaptation squad. He will start a conversation about life, about the case that led to the zone ... Only a very naive person will support the conversation. But I want to talk, and there are many naive ones.
The prisoners in the barracks look disapprovingly at what is happening, but do not interfere.
Arkady is an "official" informer, works as an orderly in the operations department. That is, formally responsible for the cleanliness and order in the room. However, in reality, he does something completely different. He is a “promoter”, that is, he is trying to find out from the new arrivals information about any crimes or accomplices that the inmate concealed during the investigation.
However, this is not at all the main thing. The main "business" is "prohibitions". A banknote, playing cards, a sweater hidden during a search will turn into 15 days in a punishment cell for a gullible owner, and into a block of cigarettes or permission to carry a banned player for Arkady.
Interfering with him is risky: during the next scheduled search, you can suddenly find those very cards already in your trunk.
Therefore, everyone is silent, throwing very expressive glances. An experienced prisoner will understand. Inexperienced ... Well, such is his fate. Later, having already met, having understood who is who, they will discuss, show three more informers, somewhat more “secret” ...
But while Cooper is fed up falling off the victim. Eat! Got something, you bastard. Now he will run to knock. So it is, ran ...
„
Squealing for a Russian person is an extremely immoral thing. We are not Germans or Americans, for whom "informing the authorities" is sacred. Our snitches have ruined millions of innocent lives
”
However, for a small bribe, Arkady will take out what you ask from the visiting room or even buy back what was taken from the operas.
The snitch usually avoids me. But now - I see something whispering with a neighbor. The neighbor approaches me.
- Borisych, how do you spell the word "discredit"?
— Why do you?
Bondar asks.
— Bondar, come.
Fits. Hides his eyes. Frankly afraid. He will soon be on parole and quarreling with me is “out of hand”.
- For what?
- They asked for an opera.
- What did they ask?
- Write that you discredit the administration. And I don't know the word.
- Get out of your sight.
In the evening I go to the operas.
“At least you thought about who and what you entrust.
- Well, you know, Mikhail Borisovich, what kind of contingent, - they are not at all embarrassed. - There is no one to work with.
We break into jokes. This round is mine. However, they are in no hurry.
Squealing for a Russian person is an extremely immoral thing. We are not Germans or Americans, for whom "informing the authorities" is sacred. Our snitches have ruined millions of innocent lives. Almost every family has its own repressed. Hatred of scammers is old and not always realized. Like coals, slightly covered with ashes, blow - and it will blaze ...
In the zones, they are trying to make such behavior the norm. Somewhere it turns out better, somewhere worse. For the administration, such people are useful. But how can they live in freedom? With internal values unacceptable to society...
We all understand: sometimes it is necessary to report what we have seen for our common safety, sometimes in order for justice to prevail.
But to inform for the sake of handouts is worse than to steal. The squeamish contempt of others is the reward for a snitch in Russia.
And you know, I am very glad that my country is like this so far.
And Bondar? I heard about Bondar again two years later, in Chita. During this time, he was released and already sat down again. He was brought 650 km from the camp to participate in the trial - to testify against me. Surprisingly, he never appeared in the courtroom.
* Continuation. For the beginning, see The New Times # 27 , 29 , 35 , 38 , 42 2011 and # 1–2 2012