Pregnant Bella Culley, facing drug smuggling charges, is serving time in a Georgian prison, 2,600 miles from home. Her family's £137,000 payment will reduce her sentence, but what's life like for her behind bars? Bella's mother reveals her daughter's transfer to a 'mother and baby' unit, a stark improvement from her initial conditions. She describes how Bella now cooks for herself and others, enjoys improved hygiene, and even learns Georgian. However, the story highlights the harsh realities of the Georgian prison system. A Russian political activist, Anastasia Zinovkina, described appalling sanitary conditions, with limited soap, monthly toilet paper, and infrequent showers. The Georgian Ministry of Justice counters, citing improved conditions and reforms, including vocational education and healthcare. The case also sheds light on Georgia's strict drug laws and its use of plea bargaining. A lawyer, Guram Imnadze, notes that nearly 90% of drug-related crimes are resolved through plea bargaining, often resulting in severe sentences. Bella's situation coincides with a new interior minister's focus on drug crimes, raising questions about public perception and justice.
