Laura Brand has reportedly visited her husband, Russell Brand, in prison for the first time since his rape conviction. Laura, 39, is said to be standing by the disgraced comedian during his 10-year jail sentence.
Insiders have warned that Brand is a 'marked man' and faces a 'welcoming' party from fellow inmates at HMP Wandsworth. The visit raises questions about what Laura can expect when meeting her husband at one of London's most notorious jails.
Booking and Security Requirements
To book a visit, Laura will need Brand's prison number and date of birth before applying through a government website or by calling the prison directly. The Prison Reform Trust advises family and friends to arrive early due to security checks and to bring photographic ID.
Laura will be allowed to take money to buy food and drink from the prison shop during the visit, but there is usually a maximum amount of cash visitors can take. She will not be able to hand anything directly to Brand.
Rules During the Visit
During the visit, Laura will be expected to remain seated but will be allowed to embrace Brand at the beginning and end. Officers will be present during the meeting and may hear their conversation. If any visiting rules are broken, or if she is considered a security threat or causing concern to other visitors, her visit can be cut short, the Mirror reports.
The visit will likely be the first of many given Brand's lengthy sentence. He will be on the sex offenders register for life and must serve at least seven years behind bars before being considered for release on license.
Life at HMP Wandsworth
Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, 58, gave an insight into life at the jail in his book, Inside. He wrote: "You can't sleep because all of it is true. In jail people do kill themselves, people do harm themselves and people do go crazy."
He added: "It's the harsh reality when you have never been to prison and that's what your lawyers don't tell you before – maybe not to scare you. HMP Wandsworth is probably one of the toughest prisons in the UK so to be put in there was quite a shock."
