Russell Brand has reportedly been transferred to a low-security prison where he has access to a single cell, yoga, bowling and other recreational activities after receiving a sentence of more than 10 years for rape and sexual assault.
The actor arrived at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire, England, on Friday, according to the Sun, which reported that the facility houses about 1,200 male sex offenders.
An insider told the outlet that Brand “looked like he was s–tting himself” as prison officers escorted him to a single-occupancy cell.
“He was heard asking for blankets on his first night, and he’s had extra officers looking after him since he arrived,” the source said. The insider added that the 51-year-old “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star has not yet spoken with other inmates.
According to the outlet, Littlehey is considered a safer placement for Brand than the high-security HMP Wakefield facility, where he was reportedly close to being transferred.
At Littlehey, Brand can take part in a football league, board games, origami classes and choir sessions. The prison also has indoor bowling facilities, two gyms and several sports halls.
Brand’s wife, Laura, 39, is permitted to visit him once a week, although conjugal visits are not allowed. The couple have three children.
Former Metropolitan Police detective Mick Neville told the Sun that Brand was probably sent to Littlehey because Wakefield, known as “Monster Mansion,” was considered too dangerous.
“People will see Littlehey as Brand given a soft option,” Neville said. “People would expect him to spend time in a jail such as Monster Mansion after the appalling things he did.”
“But the Prison Service have clearly decided that putting him into Monster Mansion would be a real risk to him and soak up massive resources to keep him safe,” Neville continued. He said Brand would likely have been “at risk” following the 2025 murder of Ian Watkins at Wakefield.
Brand remains in custody after being sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on Nov. 9. The sentence followed a trial lasting nearly four weeks, during which he was convicted of rape and sexual assault.
The “Rock of Ages” star was convicted over incidents alleged to have occurred in the 2000s.
Brand denied all wrongdoing throughout the trial.
Last Thursday, six more women accused the former comedian of sexual misconduct. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place around the same period as the conduct for which he was convicted.
A representative for Brand has not yet commented on the latest allegations.