Russell Brand may still be keeping his Bible close, but the tailored suit and silk cravat he wore during his trial have been replaced by prison clothing.
The 51-year-old comedian was sentenced to 10½ years in prison at Southwark Crown Court on Monday after being convicted of rape and sexual assault. Since arriving at HMP Wandsworth, he is said to have spent long periods meditating, reading scripture and avoiding contact with other inmates.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘He has made a real effort to remain calm and dignified, although the prospect of such a lengthy prison sentence is clearly causing him enormous distress.
‘He does not want to appear frightened, so he has been staying in his cell whenever possible.
‘Brand borrowed a Bible and several prayer books from the library. He has spent hours reading, praying and meditating.’
So what were Russell Brand’s first 24 hours in custody like, and what conditions could he face at the notorious south London prison?
Brand had exchanged a cheeky wink with his wife Laura at the start of his sentencing hearing. But as officers led him from the dock, his mood appeared to change. He mouthed ‘I love you’ and tried to reassure her that everything would be ‘alright’ before being taken into custody.
At around 4.30pm that afternoon, when Brand’s prison van arrived at HMP Wandsworth, several people had gathered outside to heckle him.
A prisoner transport van leaves HMP Wandsworth in south London on Monday morning, ahead of Brand’s sentencing
Sources say Brand, 51, has spent most of his time in prison so far in his cell
A woman walking her dog past the Victorian prison shouted: ‘Rot in hell, you rapist, you f***ing pig. Justice for women. F*** you Russell. Your poor family, you’re a disgrace. You deserve everything you’re getting.’
A passing man also shouted an insult at him.
Inside the prison, inmates reportedly greeted Brand’s arrival with chants, including: ‘There’s a Brand new n***e on the wing! A Brand new n***e. Brand, you c***, you ain’t so f***ing lairy now.’
Brand had already been held in a single cell at the Victorian jail since Thursday, following his conviction and ahead of this week’s sentencing hearing.
After arriving at HMP Wandsworth, he was initially placed in the induction wing before being moved to the Care and Separation Unit, or CSU. The area is used for segregation and solitary confinement and is also known as ‘The Block’ or ‘The Seg’, where prisoners considered to be at high risk can be housed.
Those held in the CSU spend much of the day locked inside their cells, with movement closely monitored and fewer opportunities for education or social contact.
Much of the unit lies below ground in what are described as the ‘bowels’ of the Victorian prison. Brand has reportedly been subjected to jokes referring to him as ‘Russell from the Block’.
Prison governors can initially place an inmate in segregation for up to 72 hours. A review board must then decide whether the arrangement should continue, meaning it is not yet known how long Brand will remain there.
Brand was remanded to notorious Wandsworth Prison following his conviction last week
A prison cell at HMP Wandsworth. Brand had been held in a one-man cell at the Victorian prison since Thursday
Hello, I’m Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk.
Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and three sexual assaults. Our reporters Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull were in court throughout the trial and spoke with Detective Inspector Laura Nelson about why the women who accused Brand in the documentary were not part of the rape case.
Prison officials reportedly decided Brand was too recognisable to be placed on the Vulnerable Prisoners wing, where people convicted of rape and other sexual offences are commonly held.
He is believed to be staying in a cell on C-wing, which accommodates about 100 prisoners, most of them classified as vulnerable prisoners.
Other inmates have described an atmosphere of curiosity, with prisoners eager to catch sight of the celebrity newcomer.
For now, Brand is reportedly in a cell reserved for vulnerable prisoners. He can access gym equipment, including pull-up and dip bars, as well as a football pitch and basketball court.
A prison source said C-wing offered him protection. ‘He is not in any real danger there because he is with other vulnerable prisoners and is being protected. The rest of the prison is much more dangerous.’
Daniel, a sex offender who was held on the same wing before his release on Tuesday, said wealthy prisoners could use money to make life more comfortable.
‘If he has money, he’ll be able to buy almost anything he wants: a television for his cell, an Xbox, sweets, cake and extra food. It’s like Sainsbury’s.’
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Before being locked up, Brand was medically assessed and strip-searched. He was then placed in a cell measuring approximately 9.8ft by 6.7ft, a stark contrast to his £5 million, six-bedroom home in Oxfordshire.
He would have been given an evening meal and a ‘first-night pack’ containing toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and toilet paper. The food supplies include cereal, tea, milk, sugar, Polos, juice sticks and digestive biscuits.
Once the heavy steel door closed, Brand faced his first night on a hard bed inside the cramped cell.
Breakfast the following morning would typically include cereal or porridge, fruit and a cup of tea.
During one of the few occasions he left his cell to use the exercise yard, Brand was seen holding tightly onto his Bible.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘He has appeared very humble during the limited interactions he has had with other prisoners.
‘There has been teasing, singing and mockery, but the inmates he has spoken with have generally shown some sympathy, which may have made the experience a little easier.’
Another source said: ‘Russell Brand was standing in the yard, looking up at the sky while holding a Bible and reading aloud.
‘A prisoner saw him from a window and called out “Russell”. Brand responded by raising his hand.
‘More inmates then appeared at their windows, shouting things such as “N***e!” and “No means no Russell”. It was somewhere between banter and abuse — typical prison humour.
‘He remained remarkably calm. Rather than hurrying back inside, he placed his hands behind his back and walked slowly towards the building, looking up at the windows to show that he was not rattled.’
Another witness said: ‘Brand looked miserable and slightly frightened. The other prisoners were shouting at him, calling him names and chanting. One inmate then shouted, “Russell, lend me some money!”’
Brand’s arrival also coincided with an inmate deliberately smearing and throwing faeces around a cell in what is known as a dirty protest.
However, a source insisted the incident was unrelated to Brand’s arrival.
They said: ‘It was simply a coincidence and had nothing to do with Brand being sent to prison.
‘The prisoner involved is known for staging dirty protests and has carried them out several times before.’
A former Wandsworth inmate, who used the name Ricky, also described the harsh conditions Brand could encounter. Ricky spent six months at the prison in 2024.
He said: ‘There are huge rats running around, and their droppings are left everywhere.
Images from inside HMP Wandsworth show basic cells with wash basins and hard bunks
Brand has reportedly been able to visit the library at HMP Wandsworth, where he borrowed several religious texts
‘The wing where Russell Brand is being held is freezing. There is barely any heating, even during winter.
‘The walls are covered with mould, but nothing is done about it. They simply paint over it so it is less noticeable.’
Brand is reportedly ‘devastated’ and ‘terrified’ by the prison conditions, while rumours have circulated that some inmates are determined to target him.
A source said Brand had told other prisoners that he was ‘devastated’ and frightened by the conditions, but was relying on prayer.
Inmates have reportedly discussed bullying him and attempting to obtain money from him.
Another source said: ‘Some prisoners are targeting him because he is famous and they believe he has money. He will be bullied.’
During a ‘Sunday Sermon’ podcast recorded with his wife Laura at their Oxfordshire home, Brand had spoken about his fear of being sent to prison.
As Brand prepares to spend his first long, cold winter behind bars, it remains uncertain whether his religious faith will help him cope with the lengthy sentence ahead.
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