Russell Brand is reportedly struggling to adjust to life behind bars, with prison staff said to be monitoring him around the clock amid concerns for his welfare. The comedian, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on Monday (November 9) after being convicted of rape and sexual assault.
According to the Daily Star, prison insiders claim Brand has been "barely eating" since his arrival at HMP Wandsworth, where officials are understood to be taking extra precautions to ensure his safety.
Insiders describe 'complete shock to the system'
One insider told the publication: "He's not been in trouble before really. It is sure to be terrifying and a complete shock to the system. He's barely eating. I think it has all hit him all at once that he has not gotten away with it. Regardless of the crime or the opinions of those who work there, the prison service has a duty of care to Brand, and they must keep him safe as much as they can."
The source explained that the period immediately following a lengthy prison sentence can be particularly concerning for staff, who closely monitor new arrivals for signs of distress.
They added: "They are watching him like a hawk, with pretty much 24/7 hour care at the moment. They will not want anything to happen to him, and it is likely that support will be given to ensure he is not starting to feel too low. No chances are being taken. As well as it being a long sentence, it is also a very high profile case. If he hasn't already, he will also be seen within the first week by mental health professionals to make sure he is not a risk to himself or others."
Celebrity status could make him a target
Meanwhile, former prisoner and prison adviser Chris Atkins has described HMP Wandsworth as "a form of hell", warning that Brand's celebrity status could make him a target for fellow inmates.
Speaking to the Mirror, Atkins said: "He will be seen as a target because he's a name or they will say they will look after him if his family pays their family and if he doesn't he will have an accident."
The insider also warned that the first few days in custody can be a particularly vulnerable period for prisoners, with staff taking precautions against self-harm.
Housed alone on C-wing
Brand was initially housed in the Care and Separation Unit at HMP Wandsworth following his conviction. A Cell-Sharing Risk Assessment (CSRA) has since reportedly been completed, with officers understood to have decided that he should remain in a cell alone over safety concerns. He is believed to be staying on C-wing, an area housing a number of vulnerable prisoners.
However, the arrangement may only be temporary, with the insider suggesting Brand could eventually be required to share accommodation. The source said: "It is not a nicer part. But it is probably being seen as an acclimatisation period for him. He won't be staying there indefinitely, and then things will certainly change."
Conditions at HMP Wandsworth under scrutiny
HMP Wandsworth, a Category B prison in south-west London, has faced repeated criticism over its conditions. The Victorian jail, which has previously housed notorious inmates including Ronnie Kray, Gary Glitter and Charles Bronson, has been described as overcrowded and unsafe.
A report by the prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) raised serious concerns about living conditions, staffing shortages and the deteriorating state of the buildings. Inspectors found prisoners were being held in "unsafe, overcrowded, unsanitary and squalid conditions". The report added: "The severe physical limitations of the Victorian buildings remain, with inhumane living conditions."
It also revealed that a heating failure had forced the prison to order thousands of additional coats, blankets and portions of soup after temperatures inside dropped to just 12C during winter. Staff shortages were another major concern, with approximately a third of employees absent or unavailable on an average day, leaving prisoners spending longer periods confined to their cells.
The insider suggested Brand's current accommodation was unlikely to be a permanent arrangement. They said: "This is not a state-of-the-art new jail. This is old and there are a lot of men in there. It is highly unlikely that Brand will be given his own cell on his own ongoing. I imagine once it is deemed safe, he will be put in with someone else."
