Ex-inmate warns Russell Brand of safety risks at HMP Wandsworth
A former prisoner says the convicted comedian faces danger while temporarily housed at HMP Wandsworth, which is under scrutiny for overcrowding and poor conditions.
Russell Brand, 51, began serving a 10-year sentence for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at HMP Wandsworth in London. He is expected to remain at the facility for a few weeks before being transferred to another prison based on security, safety and rehabilitation considerations, senior solicitor Kally Sahota told Page Six.
An ex-inmate who was released last year told the Sun that Brand is a "marked man" at Wandsworth and could be in serious danger if he stays. > "If Brand stays in Wandsworth, he’s in real trouble – a dead man walking," the former prisoner said, adding that Brand needs to survive until his permanent move.
The former inmate described the prison as violent, corrupt, dirty and noisy, and claimed staff sometimes paid prisoners to attack others, leading to frequent fights. According to the report, Brand is currently housed in a single cell for safety reasons.
Official watchdog reports note that HMP Wandsworth is severely overcrowded, holding 1,457 inmates despite a certified capacity of 894. A 2024 Independent Monitoring Board review labeled conditions "inhumane" and highlighted shortages of basic necessities, vermin infestations, and temperatures that can exceed 95 °F. The board warned of heightened risks from the overcrowding.
Sahota said inmates are allowed only one hour outside their cells and confirmed the presence of violence, drugs and vermin, citing overcrowding and understaffing as primary problems. She advised Brand to keep his head down, observe prison routines and be cautious about any offers of assistance.
The Daily Mail reported that other inmates have been chanting abusive slogans at Brand, using the term "nonce" – a British slang word for a sexual offender – and other derogatory language.