Russell Brand’s ‘scary’ first evening in jail – strip search, ‘inedible’ meal and Polo mints
The disgraced comedian – who lived in a Hollywood Hills mansion in California before his arrest – was whisked to a high security jail where he was forced to wear prison-issue joggers and sweatshirt
Brand was whisked to prison after the verdicts were delivered(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Rapist Russell Brand spent his first night behind bars ‘petrified’ after being whisked away to a high security prison following his conviction. Brand, 51, was said to have been monitored around the clock by guards after being booked in.
The disgraced comedian – who lived in a Hollywood Hills mansion in California before his arrest – was forced to hand over his clothes in reception to be strip-searched before putting on his prison-issue jogging bottoms and sweatshirt.
He was then taken to an induction wing where he was given a ‘first-night pack’, consisting of toiletries such as a toothbrush and toothpaste and a food pack including cereal, tea, milk and sugar as well as treats including Polos and digestive biscuits.
Brand was taken away in a prison van(Image: ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock)
The shamed star – who will be sentenced on Monday – was allowed one three-minute phone call from behind bars, most likely to have been made to wife Laura, 39, who supported him during his Southwark Crown Court trial.
That will be his only call for a week as all phone numbers have to be approved and assigned a PIN. Brand was monitored since his arrival at jail and banned from mixing with other inmates, sources said.
He is thought to have whisked to either Wandsworth or Belmarsh in London in the back of a prison van after a jury found him guilty of four charges, including the rape of a fan who had seen him at the Hammersmith Apollo at the height of his fame.
Brand raped a fan in his £2.3million townhouse(Image: Metropolitan Police/Press Association)
His first-night food was said to have been an “inedible” microwave mean given to him in reception. Staff conducted a first-night interview where they asked about his state of mind and checked he was not a danger to himself.
New inmates are also asked about religious beliefs and Brand was offered a bible. He was also offered a vape pack, it is reported.
A source told The Sun: “The first night for anyone in a jail is really daunting – and Brand was petrified. It will be a massive shock to the system to him and he will be monitored around the clock.
Brand in the dock at Southwark Crown Court(Image: Julia Quenzler / SWNS)
“All prisoners have to strip off in reception which is humiliating and a real wake-up call. He will be in prison-issue clothes and given a first-night pack, which will be a world away from what he is used to. All his cockiness will disappear as he takes in his new surroundings.“
It is thought Brand will be held on remand in London until his sentencing but is likely to be moved somewhere that specialises in sex offenders once he is sentenced.
Trial judge Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand: “You’ve been convicted of a number of offences including rape. The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term.”
Brand is facing his first night behind bars(Image: Press Association)
The maximum sentence for someone convicted of rape is life imprisonment, but the exact sentence depends on the seriousness of the offence.
Under the Sentencing Council’s rape sentencing guidelines, the starting point for an adult offender ranges from five to 15 years’ custody, depending on the offence category. For sexual assault, the maximum sentence is 10 years behind bars.
