Russell Brand Moves Cells at Wandsworth; Inmates Shout His Name

"Prisons are boring and Russell Brand being in their space has given them some fun - they've been slamming on cell doors and shouting out his name," the staff member said. "He is a rapist, so there's also been some anger about what he's done." They added: "We're very aware of that feeling."

What his first days likely look like

Former inmates and staff at other prisons describe the routine. Brand is likely still in a cell on his own, usually fitted with a bed, a basin and a toilet. Depending on his wing, he may have a television and a kettle.

On arrival, his mobile phone, clothing and other valuables will have been confiscated. He will have been issued a grey prison tracksuit, which some who have been inside describe as "itchy" and "often the wrong size".

He will also have received a night pack with biscuits, teabags, a small bag of cereal, some sugar and a carton of milk. According to the charity Prison Reform Trust, the pack tides inmates over until they can buy goods from the prison shop.

Brand has positioned himself as a Christian influencer. Former inmates said he could register for the weekly Sunday service in the prison chapel, and probably get regular time with the chaplain if he asked.

Money comes from prison work or from family. Former prisoners say jobs in workshops, laundry rooms and libraries are limited, and that sex offenders find work harder to get because they are at greater risk of assault when mixing with other inmates.

A former inmate's warning

Chris Atkins, who served eight months at Wandsworth for tax fraud, called the prison "hell on earth". "The first month is hands-down the worst," he said. "The mental shock is absolutely colossal. It was colossal for me and it's going to be 10 times worse for him because of the nature of his offences and the height from which he's fallen."

Atkins also pointed to the paperwork. Brand will not have anyone set up on his visitor account, he said, and visitors need a series of checks.

One prison governor said staff at other prisons see his fame and his convictions as a risk. "When a trial gets plenty of publicity it highlights the crimes the offender has committed," the governor said. "This in turn makes him vulnerable to the inmates' own 'justice' system of arbitrary beatings and assaults, especially where sex crimes are involved."

At sentencing, Mr Justice Bennathan described Brand's "staggering arrogance". He told the comedian he had become "a sexual predator" and showed "casual arrogant disregard for any woman's right to say no to you."