Russell Brand was moved from a London remand facility to a category C training prison in Cambridgeshire in a secret operation, according to News.com.au.
Five days after receiving a 10-year and six-month prison sentence for rape and three counts of sexual assault, the 51-year-old comedian was transferred from HMP Wandsworth to HMP Littlehey. The move places him more than 100 kilometres away in a facility that exclusively houses male sex offenders. Retired prison governor Vanessa Frake told News.com.au she was surprised by the swift downgrade to a category C facility given the substantial sentence and high public profile. Staff at other prisons warned the BBC that Brand’s fame combined with his convictions could make him a target for other inmates. Before the transfer, a source close to the entertainer said he was doing remarkably well at Wandsworth and had moved out of isolation into a main wing.
A member of staff at Wandsworth reported much excitement and some anger among inmates upon his arrival. Upon reaching HMP Littlehey, Brand arrived in a grey prison tracksuit accompanied by 10 guards. A source told The Sun that Brand looked frightened as he was led to his cell and asked for blankets on his first night. The facility features two gyms, two sports halls, yoga classes, indoor bowls, origami classes, and choir sessions.
Laura Brand confirmed her husband’s transfer to the Cambridgeshire prison in her first public comments since his jailing. Speaking on the couple’s podcast, Laura Brand said she had spoken to her husband and that he is okay and praying. HMP Littlehey held more than 1,200 prisoners as of January 2025 according to data from the Independent Monitoring Board.
Prison authorities assessed him for high-security facilities like HMP Wakefield before selecting the Cambridgeshire category C prison, which houses male sex offenders.
The Cambridgeshire prison features two gyms, two sports halls, yoga classes, indoor bowls, origami sessions, and choir practice. The facility held more than 1,200 prisoners as of January 2025.
Laura Brand addressed the public on the couple’s podcast over the weekend while holding a Bible and sitting beside a burning candle. She confirmed her husband’s transfer to HMP Littlehey and said that he is okay and praying.
Keep reading