Here's what life in a Russian penal colony could have been like for Brittney Griner

There’s been celebration since the release of American basketball star Brittney Griner from a Russian penal colony on Dec. 8, an unexpected burst of good news for many following a 10-month ordeal that drew global attention. 

A 32-year-old, two-time Olympian, Griner was originally detained at the Moscow airport in mid-February after authorities found vape cartridges with hash oil in her luggage. Russia has some of the most draconian drug laws in the world, and penalties for carrying even small amounts of recreational drugs can be severe.

Thus started a nearly year-long,...