An inspection of HMP Wandsworth, the prison holding Russell Brand following his rape and sexual assault convictions, has uncovered rats, overcrowded cells and problems with heating and hot water, according to a damning report.
Inspectors visited the Category B men's prison in south-west London in April and May 2024 and issued an immediate action plan to address standards at the jail, which houses more than 1,500 inmates. Brand, 51, is being held at the Victorian prison, which first opened in 1851, after being remanded in custody. He is due to be sentenced on Monday and could subsequently be transferred elsewhere.
Living conditions described as poor
The inspection report, seen by the Mirror, described living conditions as poor, with widespread overcrowding and dirty accommodation. It stated: "Overall living conditions were poor. Levels of overcrowding were high, with 80% of prisoners sharing cells designed for one. The prison was dirty. Many showers were in poor condition across the prison, and some should have been decommissioned. There were frequent issues with heating and hot water."
The report added: "Numerous cells had damaged furniture, flooring, windows or sinks. Many observation panels were blocked or smashed. Vermin remained a problem in the prison. Recent intensive work with an outside provider had seen some improvement, but prisoners told us that rodents were still seen frequently, and we found evidence of rat droppings across residential units."
Other concerns included poor outcomes for prisoners, as time outside cells was described as poor. A survey of inmates showed that one third said they felt unsafe at the time of inspection, while 69% said they had felt unsafe at some point.
Action plan and response
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons gave the prison the opportunity to present an action plan, publishing a document in August that year addressing the concerns. The measures were put in place less than one year after Daniel Khalife, now 25, absconded from HMP Wandsworth and sparked a manhunt.
In its action plan, prison bosses said the governor and teams at the Ministry of Justice had taken steps to work on 15 primary concerns following the unannounced inspection. In response to the concern around the condition of cells, the plan reads: "A full cell audit has been completed in June 2024 and shortfalls in furniture have been identified and orders placed to replenish identified shortfalls." It adds that the prison will ensure improved reporting of damaged cells and hold Governor & Government, Facilities, Services, Limited (GFSL) accountable on progress through daily and monthly meetings.
The plan also states: "A full review of infrastructure will be conducted with MOJ Property partners to identify priority areas where financial investment is required. A programme of shower repair works will be implemented across the prison." It notes that HMP Wandsworth has had approval for a £13m shower refurbishment project, which is still at the design and survey stage.
Former inmates speak out
There has not been a watchdog inspection since the 2024 one, but former inmates have expressed concern in recent days. Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, who was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in 2022 for hiding £2.5 million in assets, said he was a "nobody" in Wandsworth jail. He said: "I was immediately confronted with a reality that I had no experience with. It was dangerous. I tried not to look anyone in the eye and stay in my corner."
He added: "Wandsworth is really big, really dirty, extremely dangerous, there are murderers, paedophiles, drug dealers, you meet everyone. It's about surviving. You go out of your cell and you need to save your skin, the guards won't do it for you."
