Russell Brand will face ‘hell on earth’ in Wandsworth prison, says ex inmate

Brand, who has positioned himself as a Christian influencer, would be able to register for the weekly Sunday service in the prison chapel, former inmates said.

“Many sign up just to get out of their cell,” one added. They said Brand could probably get regular time with the prison chaplain if he wanted.

Inmates receive money through prison work or from their family. But several former prisoners have told the BBC that there were a limited number of jobs in places like workshops, laundry rooms and libraries.

They say it is much harder for sex offenders to get work because their conviction means they are more at risk of assault while mixing with other inmates.

Staff at other prisons say Brand’s fame and the offences of which he has been convicted could make him a target for other inmates.

Sex offenders are often among those most at risk of being attacked. One prison governor said: “When a trial gets plenty of publicity it highlights the crimes the offender has committed.

“This in turn makes him vulnerable to the inmates own ‘justice’ system of arbitrary beatings and assaults, especially where sex crimes are involved.”