Russell Brand set for switch to ‘Monster Mansion’ jail the place Ian Watkins was ‘murdered’

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated by our reporters as the breaking news story develops

Convicted rapist Russell Brand is set to be moved to the “Monster Mansion” jail where paedo rocker Ian Watkins was killed, it has emerged. The disgraced comedian, 51, will be switched to HMP Wakefield to serve his 10-year sentence.

Despite its reputation and the brutal fatal stabbing of ex-Lostprophets frontman Watkins, it is seen as a safer option than HMP Wandsworth, where he is currently being held after being convicted of rape and sexual assault.

Ex-Hollywood star Brand is reportedly being assessed ahead of the move. A source said: “Brand will have an incredibly tough time.”

Notorious HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire is one of eight Category A men’s prisons in England and houses some of the country’s most depraved killers and sex pests.

Lostprophets paedo Ian Watkins was stabbed to death in the high security prison in October 2025. Watkins, who was serving a 29-year jail term for child sex crimes, was killed in an early-morning cell ambush. Two inmates are due to stand trial for murder next year.

Child killer Kyle Bevan, 37, was killed a month later. Three convicts got whole-life orders his murder. The deaths came after a shocking inspection report highlighted a surge in violence at the jail.

But prison bosses feel it is is safer for Brand as staff are seen as better equipped. One source told The Sun: “Brand is being risk- assessed for a move to Wakefield. There are still some hoops to go through but staff at the prison are expecting him.

“He is still at Category B Wandsworth at the moment but is likely to be moved in the next few days or weeks. And Wakefield is the most likely place.

“It is one of the prisons where high-profile people get sent and — despite what happened to Watkins — is deemed a safer place for Brand.”

They added: “There are much higher levels of staffing at them. Officers there are better trained and have more resources to look after Brand. But if the move does go ahead, he will have an incredibly tough time.

“There are some really nasty killers and sex offenders there and Brand will have to kept away from them initially.He’s quite likely to go in and be put on segregation, but that can’t last forever and he will then have to on a wing.”

Past inmates at Wakefield include Soham fiend Ian Huntley and Britain’s most prolific serial killer Harold Shipman, who died by suicide in his cell in 2004.

The jail earned its “Monster Mansion” nickname due to the notorious sex fiends and killers it houses. Around two-thirds of currents ­prisoners have been convicted of sexual offences.

Current inmates include Sarah Payne’s killer Roy Whiting, child molester and killer Sidney Cooke and Jeremy Bamber, who convicted of murdering five members of his family at White House Farm, Essex, in 1985.

And we told in June how sick baby killer Jamie Varley started his life sentence at the prison by being warned by lags: “There is no way out of this hell.”

Varley, 37, was given a whole life order for the murder of 13-month-old baby Preston Davey, who died after suffering a campaign of cruel sexual and physical abuse at the hands of his adoptive father.

The source told The Sun: “Brand will not be happy about the move, if it goes ahead. He would be hoping for a much softer low-security jail, and he might end up in one towards the end of his sentence.“

They added that it is highly likely he will have to pay for protection at Wakefield due to his fame and notoriety. Violent inmates and gangs will target him because of his wealth, the source said.

They went on: “But Wakefield is considered a good option because Brand has quite a long sentence and will be in for at least seven years. It also specialises in sex offenders and Brand will be able to do courses which he will have to complete as part of his rehab.”

Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault at Southwark crown court. Sentencing him to 10 years, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan told him that he would have to serve two-thirds of his sentence — seven years — before being eligible for release on licence.

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.

You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.

Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.

Follow Daily Star on Android – CLICK HERE

Follow Daily Star on Apple – CLICK HERE

Follow Daily Star on Snapchat – CLICK HERE

You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.

Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/thedailystar.