Russell Brand’s life changed dramatically after he was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on November 9, following his conviction for rape and sexual assault. The 51-year-old comedian was taken into custody at HMP Wandsworth in south London. Reports say he appeared in relatively high spirits at court, even mouthing “I love you” to his wife, Laura, before being taken away.

According to accounts published by the Daily Mail, the hostility reportedly began before Brand even entered the prison. When his van arrived at around 4:30 p.m., a woman walking her dog allegedly shouted: “Rot in hell… you’re a disgrace.” Once he was inside, prisoners reportedly shouted insults at him from their cell windows. One inmate allegedly yelled “No means no” while Brand was reading the Bible aloud in the prison yard.

Brand has reportedly spent much of his time alone, reading scripture and meditating rather than socialising. One anonymous source described him as looking “miserable, and a little scared,” although another claimed he had been surprisingly humble when speaking to a few inmates. He was also reportedly placed in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU), a restricted section used when prison staff have concerns about an inmate’s safety or security.

The alleged taunting reportedly continued over the weekend, when groups of prisoners were said to have joined in a football-style chant mocking him. One source claimed Brand was increasingly withdrawn and left his cell mainly to collect meals. However, these accounts come largely from anonymous sources and have not been independently confirmed by prison authorities. For a man who spent years in the public spotlight, life behind prison walls is now a very different reality.