Russell Brand has reportedly been subjected to repeated, racially abusive football-style chants by prisoners at Wandsworth Prison, where he is being held ahead of sentencing for rape and three sexual assaults.
A source said hundreds of inmates had been shouting a chant containing Brand’s name around the south London jail. The abuse was said to have left the 51-year-old comedian “cowering in fear”.
Brand was convicted last Thursday after a four-week trial and is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. The judge has warned him to expect a lengthy custodial sentence.
Weekend conditions at Wandsworth were described as particularly restrictive, with the prison said to be understaffed and offering prisoners little time outside their cells. Dinner is reportedly served at about 4.30pm, after which inmates return to their cells until 8am the following morning.
“They have to get their amusement somewhere, so they’ve made Brand the object, with hundreds of prisoners shouting the chant,” a source said.
Brand was said to leave his cell only to collect food at mealtimes before returning. So far, the abuse has reportedly been verbal, although the source warned that any celebrity in prison could be a high-profile target.
The source also claimed Brand could soon be approached by prisoners who wield influence on the wing and might be pressured to pay for greater safety and comfort.
After spending his first night on the induction wing, Brand is understood to have been moved to the vulnerable persons’ wing. Prisoners reportedly refer to the area using an offensive racial term.
Conditions there were described as basic, with each cell said to contain a small metal basin and a toilet. Prisoners reportedly use a heating pipe running through the cells to dry clothes because laundry is not collected regularly.
Brand was said to have arrived without a bag or personal belongings. The prison’s assistant governor reportedly told him to expect “the rough with the smooth”.
The born-again Christian, who held a Bible during parts of his trial, was also met by the prison chaplain and prayed with him after his arrival.
