A retired prison governor has warned that Russell Brand’s high-profile status could make him a target behind bars, with fellow inmates potentially seeking to exploit his notoriety for their own gain
Russell Brand is facing an unsettling introduction to life behind bars following his conviction, with his arrival in prison potentially presenting challenges beyond the usual experience of a new inmate.
The comedian and actor, 51, was found guilty on Thursday (November 5) of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. Now, a retired prison governor has lifted the lid on what Brand’s first night in custody is likely to have involved, including the measures staff would have taken to keep him safe.
Speaking to Kevin O’Sullivan on Talk TV, former prison governor Mark Hammersley explained how Brand would have been processed on arrival, revealing that the experience would have been a far cry from his previous lifestyle.
He said the star would have undergone a strip search to ensure he was not bringing prohibited items, including drugs, into the prison.
“That first night would have been a total shock for him,” Mark explained.
Describing the procedure, he said: “It’s very degrading, you know, for any individual. When you do it, we try and make it as professional as we can. When we strip-search a person, we have a strict procedure to go through. You search the top half first and the bottom half, and you give them the clothes to put back on as you go through.”
Mark added that medical checks and assessments would also form part of the reception process, with staff considering whether a new arrival could safely share a cell.
However, Brand’s high-profile status could make his time in custody particularly complicated.
Kevin pointed out that sex offenders are generally housed in a separate section of prison, but suggested Brand’s celebrity status meant he had been placed in a different unit, where he could be kept apart from other inmates.
The broadcaster also raised the possibility of disruptive behaviour from prisoners, including dirty protests, and questioned whether Brand would get much sleep.
Mark suggested the attention surrounding the former TV star would make a peaceful first night unlikely.
He said: “His presence would have been well known and, you know, well communicated around everybody who’s near him, and everyone would have been shouting stuff out to him, trying to get messages from him, trying to get him talking back, you know, all for their own thing.”
The retired governor then explained why being famous behind bars can present a significant security headache, warning that some inmates could see Brand as an opportunity to attract attention themselves.
“It gives every prisoner in there the opportunity of five minutes of fame. If anybody does anything with him, if anybody were to have a go at him, try and get him, they’d be a front-page newspaper story,” he said.
Asked whether Brand would therefore require special protection against potential attacks, Mark agreed.
He explained that prisoners might view an incident involving the celebrity as a way of boosting their own profiles, potentially giving them something to publicise after their release.
Mark said: “Prisoners will be looking at the opportunity: ‘There’s someone famous, there’s someone rich, someone who I could make a lot of money from or make a lot of money with. It might help my social media presence when I get released. I’m the prisoner who did this.’”
He added that prison staff and management would be particularly keen to ensure Brand was handled appropriately, with every aspect of his custody carefully monitored.
Brand was convicted of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009 and sexually assaulting three women in separate incidents between 2004 and 2009.
He was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denied all the allegations, with his legal team arguing that he had been wrongly accused and was the victim of a media conspiracy.
Two further allegations against him are also being investigated.
Brand remains in custody awaiting sentencing on Monday.
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