Russell Brand has reportedly been moved from an isolated unit to a main wing at HMP Wandsworth, where inmates have been reacting to his presence with both excitement and anger.
The 51-year-old comedian and actor was handed a 10 years and six months sentence earlier this week for rape and sexual assault. He is currently being held at HMP Wandsworth in South London and was understood to have been placed on an isolated wing upon his initial arrival.
Inmates react to Brand's arrival
A source told the BBC he was "remarkably well considering the circumstances" and had since been moved to a main wing. A staff member at Wandsworth claimed there had been "much excitement" amongst inmates regarding his arrival, alongside "some anger", reports the Mirror.
They said: "Prisons are boring and Russell Brand being in their space has given them some fun, they've been slamming on cell doors and shouting out his name."
"He is a rapist, so there's also been some anger about what he's done."
Career and sentencing
Brand launched his career as a TV presenter and comedian before going on to become a Hollywood star, featuring in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hop and the Despicable Me franchise. Throughout his two-decade career, he also firmly established himself in the public eye through his marriage to pop star Katy Perry, and his subsequent appearances across TV, radio, stage and podcasts.
He is expected to serve two thirds of his prison sentence prior to being released on licence, and will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.
Judge's remarks
On Monday, Mr Justice Bennathan condemned Brand's "staggering arrogance" as he handed down his sentence. The judge told Brand: "About 20 years ago Russell Brand, you were becoming famous, you were clever, and in many people's eyes you were funny and charismatic... You had also become a sexual predator."
The judge remarked that Brand's "status protected you" until 2023, when journalists from the Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches first uncovered a catalogue of sexual misconduct, prompting women to bring complaints to the police. He stated that Brand harboured a "casual arrogant disregard to any woman's right to say no to you", while his celebrity status led him to believe "you could act when you liked and how you liked".
