Former inmate Pete Bates, who spent more than 14 years behind bars, also warned that Russell Brand could be vulnerable to sexual exploitation or assault during his time in jail
Russell Brand could create a religious following of young men as he becomes more settled in to life behind bars, a former inmate has claimed. Pete Bates, who spent more than 14 years behind bars for manslaughter, suggested that this is because there are so many “younger, impressionable” blokes searching for “someone to look up to”.
In that environment, somebody who could be seen as “charismatic and articulate” could swiftly become “influential”, he added. He spoke after the disgraced comic was jailed for 10-and-a-half years this week.
Brand was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape. He is currently being held in HMP Wandsworth, where he is said to spend a lot of time meditating and reading the Bible to avoid other inmates.
Bates explained the challenges Brand might face during his time in prison. He said: “My personal assessment is that he’ll have a particularly difficult time adjusting to prison life. I suspect he’ll spend a considerable amount of time in protective custody, away from the mainstream prison population.
“There are still hierarchies, conflicts, intimidation and predatory behaviour within protected populations. And if he becomes a target there, the authorities may have very few options left other than separating him further from other prisoners.”
Bates, who was charged with murder at 19 in Queensland, Australia, now educates accountability and violence prevention. The Aussie added: “I also believe he could be vulnerable to sexual exploitation or assault.
“That is a genuine risk I would consider when assessing the vulnerability of a high-profile prisoner, particularly one with his notoriety. I’m not suggesting these things will definitely happen. I’m explaining the risks I believe he faces based on fourteen and a half years of experience inside Australian prisons.”
Bates also set out a timeline on how Brand could navigate his new prison environment. He believes Brand could establish himself inside once he becomes more settled.
He said: “My view is that he’ll spend his early years trying to find his feet, avoiding trouble and figuring out how to survive within the prison environment. Over time, things may change.
“The headlines will eventually fade. His celebrity status may become less significant to the men around him, and he’ll gradually become another prisoner serving his sentence.
“Once he’s established himself and understands the environment, that’s when I believe he may start using his personality, communication skills and religious beliefs to attract followers. Prisons contain plenty of younger, impressionable men searching for identity, belonging, direction and someone to look up to.
“A charismatic and articulate person can become influential in that environment. So yes, I could see him potentially drawing younger prisoners towards his religious beliefs or developing something resembling a following.
“Whether that becomes anything cult-like is another question entirely. But I certainly wouldn’t rule out him attempting to establish that kind of influence once he’s settled into prison life.”
Following his time in Prison Bates developed a programme called Pattern Before Behaviour through his organisation the Pete Bates Project. He now strives to help young men before destructive thinking turns into irreversible harm with the program.