Brittney Griner’s decision to change her hairstyle while in a Russian prison was a critical matter for her health and comfort.
In her new book, “Coming Home,” she describes the challenges of maintaining dreadlocks in the harsh conditions of the detention center, where her hair froze and became difficult to manage.
Griner, known for her candor about the unsafe environment in the prison, detailed her experiences, including sleeping on a bloody mattress.
Griner’s ordeal began after she was detained in a Russian airport for possessing a small amount of hash oil, which is legal in her home state of Arizona but illegal in Russia.
She had worn her hair in dreadlocks that reached past her shoulders, a style she cherished for its ease and significance in her life.
Due to the prison’s conditions, Griner had to seek permission to cut her hair shorter.
With the help of another inmate, she drafted an application explaining her health concerns to the deputy warden.
Eventually, she was allowed to visit a salon within the prison where an inmate’s girlfriend, Jenya, managed to transform her hair.
Jenya struggled with Griner’s locs but ultimately succeeded in giving her the desired haircut. Griner emerged from the experience feeling relieved and satisfied with the change.
Griner’s appearance upon her release in December 2022 surprised many fans, but she swiftly returned to the basketball court for the 2023 WNBA season with the Phoenix Mercury, continuing her athletic career.
