Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s latest story from his “Prison’s People” series has been published in The New Times magazine. He describes Lyosha – at first glance, an ordinary young boy with couple of tattoos and a lively expression on his face – typical features of someone who’s graduated to the ‘grown-up’s prison’ from a juvenile colony.

But Lyosha was different. He unwittingly attracted attention because he much preferred to read a book rather than watch the television – watching music videos is the usual pastime of the young people in the colony. Lyosha also had a good-natured, playful smile.

As time passed, Lyosha’s smile faded slowly. Betrayal came from an unexpected place – his family. Lyosha, like so many other young boys across Russian prisons, was left on his own in this harsh world.

“There is nothing to say, other than the usual: “Hang on, man.”

I am ashamed to admit that I felt joy in my heart that I did not have to face such a betrayal. My family is waiting for me and loves me.”

Read Lyosha’s story in full in Russian here.