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Alcatraz – How Former Prisoners in Ukraine Become Soldiers
What drives men from Ukrainian prisons to go to war?
Jan Jessen, , head of politics at NRZ and war correspondent for the FUNKE Media Group, meets former inmates now fighting in the “Alcatraz” battalion.
They train hard – to atone for their crimes, to survive, and perhaps to earn a second chance.
Oleksandr, Tovy, and Koshmar share in our podcast In Crisis Mode why they are going to the front, what motivates them – and whether a new beginning is truly possible.
Interviewees:
“Oleksandr,” 39 – former prisoner, Kyiv region
“Koshmar” (“Nightmare”), 30s – ex-soldier and ex-prisoner, father of two
“Tovy,” callsign Fortovy (“Lucky”), 24 – former prisoner, from Rivne
Sergeant “Armin” – instructor in the “Alcatraz” battalion
🧭 Episode Overview
1 | Introduction & The Army of Second Chances
Why the Ukrainian government allows prisoners to volunteer for the front – and what’s behind the program.
2 | Inside the “Alcatraz” Training Camp
Jan Jessen follows former inmates through drills – between gunfire, mud, and tourniquet practice.
3 | Sergeant Armin – Discipline Instead of Prison Rules
The instructor explains how he trains 150 men – with toughness, but also with respect.
“Everything is based on discipline. From day one.”
4 | Oleksandr – Guilt and a Second Chance
At 39, he was once a soldier, then a prisoner. Now he’s fighting again.
“I can’t stay locked up. I want to be free – even if that means going to war.”
5 | Between Front and Family
Oleksandr talks about his children, his mother, and life after the war – simple dreams and quiet remorse.
6 | Tovy, alias “Lucky” – The New Beginning
A young ex-prisoner explains why he wants to become human again here.
“I wanted to belong to them. I wanted to be a different person.”
7 | “Koshmar” – A Nightmare for the Russians
The veteran speaks about Bakhmut, about adrenaline, guilt, and his four children.
“What can I achieve in prison? Nothing. I want to fight again.”
8 | Atonement, Motivation, and Morality
Armin talks about drugs, discipline, and the principle of “no past.”
Jan draws his conclusion: between despair and hope – what truly drives these men.
📬 Contact & Feedback
Questions, comments, suggestions? Write to us:
🟢 Subscribe Now
In Crisis Mode – available wherever you get your podcasts:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | YouTube
📅 New Episodes
Every two weeks, always on Wednesdays.
In Crisis Mode is a podcast by the FUNKE Media Group.
View all episodes
By Jan Jessen & Alexander Baumeister / Funke MediengruppeWhat drives men from Ukrainian prisons to go to war?
Jan Jessen, , head of politics at NRZ and war correspondent for the FUNKE Media Group, meets former inmates now fighting in the “Alcatraz” battalion.
They train hard – to atone for their crimes, to survive, and perhaps to earn a second chance.
Oleksandr, Tovy, and Koshmar share in our podcast In Crisis Mode why they are going to the front, what motivates them – and whether a new beginning is truly possible.
Interviewees:
“Oleksandr,” 39 – former prisoner, Kyiv region
“Koshmar” (“Nightmare”), 30s – ex-soldier and ex-prisoner, father of two
“Tovy,” callsign Fortovy (“Lucky”), 24 – former prisoner, from Rivne
Sergeant “Armin” – instructor in the “Alcatraz” battalion
🧭 Episode Overview
1 | Introduction & The Army of Second Chances
Why the Ukrainian government allows prisoners to volunteer for the front – and what’s behind the program.
2 | Inside the “Alcatraz” Training Camp
Jan Jessen follows former inmates through drills – between gunfire, mud, and tourniquet practice.
3 | Sergeant Armin – Discipline Instead of Prison Rules
The instructor explains how he trains 150 men – with toughness, but also with respect.
“Everything is based on discipline. From day one.”
4 | Oleksandr – Guilt and a Second Chance
At 39, he was once a soldier, then a prisoner. Now he’s fighting again.
“I can’t stay locked up. I want to be free – even if that means going to war.”
5 | Between Front and Family
Oleksandr talks about his children, his mother, and life after the war – simple dreams and quiet remorse.
6 | Tovy, alias “Lucky” – The New Beginning
A young ex-prisoner explains why he wants to become human again here.
“I wanted to belong to them. I wanted to be a different person.”
7 | “Koshmar” – A Nightmare for the Russians
The veteran speaks about Bakhmut, about adrenaline, guilt, and his four children.
“What can I achieve in prison? Nothing. I want to fight again.”
8 | Atonement, Motivation, and Morality
Armin talks about drugs, discipline, and the principle of “no past.”
Jan draws his conclusion: between despair and hope – what truly drives these men.
📬 Contact & Feedback
Questions, comments, suggestions? Write to us:
🟢 Subscribe Now
In Crisis Mode – available wherever you get your podcasts:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Deezer | YouTube
📅 New Episodes
Every two weeks, always on Wednesdays.
In Crisis Mode is a podcast by the FUNKE Media Group.