A source from the Cheka-OGPU described how the recruitment of prisoners to participate in the SVO takes place in the colonies of the Tula region. There are actually two male agitators driving around the prison in a circle, introducing themselves as employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service (what service they actually represent is unknown), who both collectively and individually convince prisoners to go fight. They themselves do not sign any papers, they simply campaign. In addition to patriotic words, there are also specifics – release, expungement of a criminal record. There are no specific terms of participation in the SVO in the documents signed; the agitators verbally promise those in general regime colonies three months of participation in battles, and in strict regime colonies – six months. Those wishing to go to fight must submit an application to the IK administration. When there are quite a lot of such applications, unknown men come again to fill out all the paperwork. It also happened that before their arrival, prisoners changed their minds and withdrew their applications. Another interesting thing in this situation is that the majority of prisoners, before making a decision, go to the overseers from the “thieves in law.” And those, citing “thief in law No. 1” Zakhar Kalashov (Shakro Molodoy), approve of this choice, assuring that it will be “according to the principles.” The source of the Cheka-OGPU confirmed that although there was no corresponding malyava from Shakro, he verbally confirmed such “approval”. Not surprisingly, Shako will be eligible for parole in 2023. And the decision will depend, among other things, on the success of the recruitment of prisoners in the colonies.
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