From Arkhangelsk to Birobidzhan: Why a motorcyclist spends his vacation in Russian colonies

Mikhail Gorbunovsky embarked on an unusual journey from St. Petersburg: on a motorcycle, he is traveling across Russia and visiting juvenile correctional colonies. In early July, the man left St. Petersburg, with the Arkhangelsk educational colony as his first stop. We found out why Mikhail decided to spend his vacation this way, what he talked about with the young inmates, and whether it is difficult to bring a motorcycle onto a restricted facility«s grounds.

Mikhail is an active employee of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, so he knows the system from the inside. The idea to visit the colonies came, one might say, on its own.

— There was a dream to ride from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. But doing it just like that was boring, so at the end of last year the idea came up to ride across Russia«s territory and do something useful. Why specifically educational colonies, I can»t say for sure; it just came to me... Perhaps because I myself worked at the Kolpino educational colony for two years as deputy head of the colony for logistics, — Mikhail explained to 29.RU.

The first stop was the Arkhangelsk educational colony in Talagi. According to Mikhail, the colony«s head actively supported the idea of coming to see the young inmates. They even managed to roll the motorcycle onto the restricted territory.

— That was my initial idea; for clarity it«s important that they touch reality, the »tool,« so to speak, of the journey. The decision on the vehicle is made by the head of the facility; we laid out all prohibited items, and everything went in line with regime requirements.

Mikhail worried far more not about the motorcycle, but about whether he would manage to find common ground with the inmates.

— My fears and anxieties were very strong. The kids are difficult, or rather, they are kids with difficult life stories. It«s very hard to reach their souls and hearts; they are usually very closed off due to their life circumstances: difficult childhoods, absent parents, or parents so bad it would be better if they didn»t exist... They see everything in black or white.

But his fears did not come true: he managed to build a lively and substantive dialogue with the inmates, and Mikhail felt their interest and response — sincerity of purpose helped.

Mikhail told the young men about his journey, the cities and colonies he planned to visit, the motorcycle, the gear, extreme sports, and how the motorcycle had personally influenced him.

— The result exceeded expectations. The connection was maximum. They asked about the bike, about the cities I«d pass through, and wondered whether I»d ride through the towns they come from. They asked to bring the motorcycle in, and many wanted to try sitting in the saddle; we allowed it along with the administration.

Mikhail is especially grateful to the colony«s leadership and staff, who themselves were moved by the meeting.

— The impression of the visit is indescribable; I was happy that my idea found a response and feedback. The kids were genuinely interested; no one interrupted, sneered, or tried to derail the conversation. A very friendly atmosphere.

Mikhail believes that for teenagers in such a situation, it is especially important to set an example.

— We need to motivate teenagers, tell and show them that there is another life — a life by the rules of society, morality, and human principles — but that life can be bright, exciting, and useful to society. We, adults, must be a role model and an example, — the traveler is convinced. — I talked a lot with them about dreams. If you plant the seed of a dream in teenagers, it can work as a motivational factor. I told them from my own example that I have a dream, and to achieve it, you need to make certain efforts. All boundaries and brakes are in our heads. I told them about love, about faith that we alone are the creators of our destinies.

At the same time, Mikhail understands that after release, the young men may find it hard to adapt, and much depends on their environment.

— Those teenagers who are released before adulthood are handled by social welfare agencies, orphanages, and other organizations. But those who have turned 18 are, unfortunately, needed by no one upon release. They«re considered adults, and the state washes its hands of them. If there is no one in society to take these kids in, they end up back in that negative environment where they feel needed. That»s the issue I want to draw society«s attention to.

Mikhail«s goal is ambitious: in one month, he plans to ride alone about 13,000 km through 30 regions of Russia. Along the way are colonies in Mozhaysk, Bryansk, Kamyshin, Izhevsk, Perm, Kirovgrad, Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Kansk, and Birobidzhan. He documents his journey in his community.

The Arkhangelsk educational colony is a place of constant experiments. We wrote about how a real summer camp session was held on its grounds. The young inmates also took part in an exhibition and even came to its opening in Arkhangelsk.