Russell Brand, 51, has been jailed for 10 years and six months after being convicted of one count of rape and three sexual assaults following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. The comedian is currently serving his sentence at HMP Wandsworth in London, a Victorian-era prison that the Ministry of Justice said two years ago was in a "shocking condition" with failures in leadership "at every level".
Around £100 million has since been invested in the Category B jail, but one former inmate said it was still "hell on earth".
First month described as the worst
Chris Atkins, who served eight months at HMP Wandsworth for tax fraud, told the BBC: "The first month is hands-down the worst. The mental shock is absolutely colossal. It was colossal for me and it's going to be 10 times worse for him because of the nature of his offences and the height from which he's fallen.
"He has to come to terms with it and the pure physical shock of suddenly being trapped in a dungeon for weeks on end with nobody to talk to most of the time is ghastly."
Atkins added that Brand will not have had time to arrange visits yet from friends and relatives.
Visits and cell arrangements
"He won't have anyone set up on his visitor account - visitors need a series of checks. Phone numbers need to be approved. These checks are not quick and you need to know how to make these applications," Atkins said.
"There is often nobody there to tell you how this all works so you have to work it out." Atkins said it took five weeks to see his young son when he went inside.
It is reported Brand has been moved to the main wing in Wandsworth after previously being kept in isolation. It is understood Brand will likely be kept in a cell on his own, which has a bed, basin and a toilet. Depending on the prison where he is eventually housed, he may also have access to a kettle and TV.
Possible move to Category A prison
It is reported that due to the serious nature of Brand's crimes, he will likely be moved to a Category A prison, such as HMP Wakefield, a notorious institution dubbed 'Monster Mansion' because of the vile criminals caged there, including serial killer Levi Bellfield and child killer Jeremy Bamber, who murdered his adoptive parents and sister, and his sister's twin six-year-old sons.
On Monday during his sentencing remarks, judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a "sexual predator" and criticised his "staggering arrogance".
Guidelines state offenders jailed for four years or more for some serious violent or sexual offences will be released at the two thirds point. In Brand's case that would be seven years.
