This story has moved on: Russell Brand moved to category C prison with yoga and football

Summarised from 9 outlets · 22 reports · Updated 15 Nov, 03:02 · Archive

Russell Brand has been moved between prisons days after being sentenced to 10 years and six months for rape and sexual assault.

Russell Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months on Monday at Southwark Crown Court after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, condemned his 'staggering arrogance' and described him as a 'sexual predator' who used his celebrity status to prey on women. Brand must serve at least seven years before becoming eligible for release on licence.

Brand was initially held at HMP Wandsworth, a Category B Victorian-era prison in south London, where he was kept on an isolated wing following his arrival. Multiple outlets reported he was being risk-assessed for transfer to HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, a high-security Category A facility widely known as 'Monster Mansion'. According to the Daily Express, however, Brand was secretly moved to HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire on Friday, only five days into his sentence. HMP Littlehey is a Category C prison housing only male sexual offenders, where inmates can attend activities including yoga, origami classes and choir sessions. The Daily Express reported Brand asked for extra blankets on his first night there.

Retired prison governor Vanessa Frake told the Daily Express she was surprised by the downgrade to Category C, saying she would have expected Category B to be more appropriate given Brand's high public profile and vulnerability to attack. The Daily Express reported that Brand was transferred in a secret operation in a self-contained Serco prison van and was marched by 10 guards to his cell.

Prison sources told the BBC that Brand was moved from isolation to a main wing at Wandsworth before his transfer. A source close to Brand told the BBC he was doing 'remarkably well considering the circumstances'. Staff at Wandsworth reported 'much excitement' among inmates about his arrival, with prisoners slamming cell doors and shouting his name, though there was also 'anger' over the nature of his offences.

Chris Atkins, a documentary filmmaker who served eight months at Wandsworth for tax fraud, warned Brand would face 'hell on earth' in the prison. 'The first month is hands-down the worst. The mental shock is absolutely colossal,' Atkins told the BBC. He said the experience would be '10 times worse' for Brand given the nature of his offences and the scale of his public fall from fame.

Reports claimed Brand struggled with the initial shock of imprisonment. The Daily Express and Daily Mail reported he asked prison officers whether he could have privacy when using the toilet, and that he appeared pale and frightened despite attempting to project confidence when he arrived. The Daily Express reported he had been 'barely eating' and requested vegetarian meals. Prisoners taunted him, with one reportedly shouting 'You're not a superstar in here, Brand. You're just another nonce.'

Brand will be on the sex offenders' register for life. His wife Laura and their three young children had been living in Florida prior to the trial. According to the Mirror, Laura must now decide whether to support him in England or remain in America.

How it is being reported

• Russell Brand ‘secretly moved’ to plush new jail with ‘yoga and origami classes’Russell Brand is only days into his 10-year prison stint after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault, and he has been moved to a new jail.Daily Express · 14 Nov, 21:41
• Russell Brand's former flatmate 'witnessed more crimes' and appeals to victims to call copsMark Pinheiro, who previously lived with Russell Brand in London, has appealed to other women following the disgraced former comedian's convictions last weekThe Mirror · 14 Nov, 20:46
• Russell Brand's wife faces difficult decision as sex fiend is 'moved into main wing'Russell Brand's wife Laura Gallacher and their three young children are said to be considering a permanent return to the UK as the convicted rapist begins his 10-and-a-half-year prison sentenceThe Mirror · 14 Nov, 19:37
• Russell Brand’s eerie joke about jail resurfaces after he’s sentenced to 10 years for rape, sexual assaultThe disgraced comedian was previously arrested in New Orleans in 2012 for throwing a photographer's iPhone.New York Post · 14 Nov, 17:31
• Russell Brand's desperate question in prison reveals how he's really copingThe disgraced comedian, 51, is said to be struggling to adjust to conditions at HMP WandsworthDaily Express · 14 Nov, 17:02
• Russell Brand makes special demand in prison after £3.12 budget revealedThe disgraced comedian's daily food budget has been revealed - and it's less than a coffee at Costa.Daily Express · 14 Nov, 16:23
• 'I was in HMP Wandsworth like Russell Brand - this will be his biggest problem in prison'A former inmate at HMP Wandsworth, where Russell Brand is currently housed, has shared what he believes will be the ex-comedian's biggest problem behind barsDaily Express · 14 Nov, 14:27
• Russell Brand has ‘already received abuse’ from other prisoners in jailHe's had anything but a warm welcome.Metro · 14 Nov, 13:39
• Russell Brand's family face choice after rapist jailed for 10 years in 'Monster Mansion'Russell Brand has been jailed for more than a decade at an infamous UK prison after being convicted of rape and sexual assault.Daily Express · 14 Nov, 11:37
• Russell Brand 'moves from isolation into main wing' and prisoners are 'excited'Russell Brand has reportedly moved from an isolated unit to a main wing at HMP Wandsworth, where there is said to be 'anger' and 'excitement' brewing among inmatesThe Mirror · 13 Nov, 21:37
• Russell Brand: Inside the ‘Monsters’ Mansion’ jail where disgraced star could serve ten-year sentenceFive prisoners were killed or took their own life in a year at HMP WakefieldEvening Standard · 13 Nov, 19:03
• 'He thought he was the Messiah': How Russell Brand's arrogance has already disappeared inside HMP Wandsworth... as prison sources reveal his privacy request, abuse from fellow inmates and fears for his safetySentenced to ten years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and sexual assault, Russell Brand has gone from being feted by his fans to being taunted by fellow inmates.Daily Mail · 13 Nov, 17:46
• Russell Brand warned ‘this is what you’ll find hardest’ during first month in prisonBrand was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years behind bars.Daily Express · 13 Nov, 11:50
• Will Russell Brand end up at 'Monster Mansion' jail?: Rapist could face transfer to notorious HMP Wakefield where paedophile singer Ian Watkins was stabbed to deathThe jail in West Yorkshire is known as 'Monster Mansion' for housing some of the UK's most dangerous criminals alongside a large population of sex offenders.Daily Mail · 13 Nov, 11:32
• Russell Brand's horror 'Monster Mansion' life as ex-governor shares chilling conversationRussell Brand is reportedly set to transfer to 'Monster Mansion' HMP Wakefield - the notorious Category A prison in West YorkshireDaily Express · 13 Nov, 10:42
• Russell Brand told first month in jail will be ‘ghastly’ - ‘It’s hell on earth’A former prisoner described the jail where Russell Brand is being held.Daily Express · 13 Nov, 10:08
• Russell Brand faces ‘hell on earth’ inside Wandsworth prison, former inmate warnsFor the disgraced comedian, life in prison is expected to be ‘10 times worse’ given the nature of his offencesThe Independent · 13 Nov, 09:54
• Russell Brand set for transfer to ‘monster’ jail where paedophile Ian Watkins was murderedRussell Brand is currently being held at HMP Wandsworth in London (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/Press Association) Russell Brand is reportedly set to be transferred to the prison where convicted paedophile and Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins was murdered . The disgraced comedian, 51, was sentenced to…Metro · 13 Nov, 09:01
• Russell Brand warned of 'incredibly tough time' as he faces move to notorious 'Monster Mansion' prisonRussell Brand is undergoing a risk assessment for a potential transfer to HMP Wakefield, the notorious Category A facility widely known as "Monster Mansion." The former comedian and Hollywood actor, convicted of rape and three sexual assault charges, received a 10-year and six-month prison sentence on Monday at Southwark Crown Court. Mr Justice Bennathan condemned his "staggering arrogance" and branded him a "sexual predator" who used his celebrity to prey on fans. He must serve at least seven years before becoming eligible for release on licence. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The…GB News · 13 Nov, 07:59
• Brand will face 'hell on earth' in Wandsworth prison, says former inmateThe disgraced entertainer was sentenced to 10 years and six months for rape and sexual assault.BBC News · 13 Nov, 00:15
• Russell Brand could serve seven years at notorious ‘Monster’s Mansion’ jailRapist Brand could move to the prison where paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins was stabbed to death last year, with sources saying 'it is deemed a safer place for Brand' despite its horrific violenceDaily Express · 12 Nov, 23:47
• Russell Brand could be transferred to infamous ‘Monster Mansion’ prison where child sex offender was killed last year: reportBrand was recently sentence to 10 and a half years behind bars.New York Post · 12 Nov, 22:20

In this story: Russell Brand · HMP Wandsworth · HMP Wakefield · HMP Littlehey · Ian Watkins · Chris Atkins · Southwark Crown Court · Mr Justice Bennathan

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log