Russell Brand was sentenced this week to 10 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009. The 51-year-old is being held at HMP Wandsworth, and two former inmates have shared their insights into what the convicted sexual predator should and shouldn't do to maximise his chances of surviving two-thirds of his sentence in custody.
Former inmates offer advice on surviving prison
Rich Jones, a former British Army veteran who served seven years in prisons including HMP Oakwood and HMP Lowdham Grange for conspiracy to supply cocaine, said Brand should avoid being outspoken. He said: "I give him a few months, he will settle into life and he will just be another person on the wing. Nobody special, but if he tries to be outspoken, or articulate in there, he may just get chinned."
Jones, author of The Lost Soldier series, also advised Brand to secure employment in prison. He said: "Prison is very good at identifying people's talents, regardless of their offence, so he will have some kind of creativity about him, I'm not sure what his talent really was to be fair. But he will utilise that in some way."
Employment and routine are key
Jones suggested Brand would likely work in education, possibly teaching English, given his articulation. He noted that such work would pay around £10 for a 25-hour week, and that Brand would need to engage in some form of service, as he cannot "sit there and do nothing." He added that Brand would probably fill his time with drama, writing, and other creative activities to get through the next seven years without creating problems.
Francesca Fattore, who was previously imprisoned at HMP Bronzefield for drug-related offences, cautioned that Brand faces significant risk because of his notoriety. She said: "I really really think, it's just my opinion, that something could happen to him bad because of the fact that everyone knows. It's all over the papers, it's gone viral and people doing life just don't care."
Advice on behaviour and safety
Fattore advised that Brand should secure a cleaning job on his wing, as it would spare him from venturing into the main block where the threat to his safety would be greater. She also suggested he should not stay too quiet but should avoid being as loud and vocal as he has been, at least until he knows his surroundings and is sure he is safe.
Former prison governor Vanessa Frake echoed this caution on the Break The Ice channel, saying: "If he goes in with the arrogant, you know, I am the Messiah as he walked into court, then yeah, quite honestly. There'll be people who are doing whole life orders - they've got nothing to lose. And as much as you say you want to keep him safe, you can't be there 24/7."
