Russell Brand is reportedly spending hours reading the Bible, meditating and praying as he faces years behind bars following his rape and sexual assault convictions. The former comedian was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on November 9. According to sources, he has been keeping largely to himself at HMP Wandsworth while trying to appear calm around other prisoners. But accounts of his early days in custody suggest an uneasy adjustment, including an exercise-yard appearance that reportedly drew shouting from cell windows.
Russell Brand Reportedly Spends ‘Hours On End’ Praying
Brand had already been held at Wandsworth since his conviction the previous Thursday. After returning from sentencing, sources claimed he continued turning to religion while limiting his interactions. “He’s tried hard to maintain a dignified and calm manner, though being jailed for so long is obviously going to be causing him huge distress,” one source told the Daily Mail. “He’s been trying not to show fear so is staying in his cell as much as he can.”
According to the same account, Brand obtained religious books from the prison library and has spent long stretches reading them. “Brand got a couple of books from the library, a Bible and some prayer books,” they said. “He’s been reading, meditating and praying for hours on end.”
Brand’s Return To Prison Drew Shouts Outside The Gates
Earlier that day, Brand had appeared at Southwark Crown Court to hear his sentence. As he was led away, he reportedly tried to reassure his wife, Laura Gallacher, that things would be “alright” and mouthed “I love you.” His arrival back at Wandsworth later that afternoon brought a different reception.
According to the Daily Mail, members of the public shouted abuse as the prison van approached the gates at around 4:30 p.m. Prisoners also reportedly chanted insults about the celebrity inmate.
A Bible In The Exercise Yard Reportedly Caught Inmates’ Attention
One account described Brand leaving his cell for a solitary visit to the exercise yard, where he reportedly carried his Bible. “Russell Brand was standing in the yard, looking up to the sky, holding a Bible and reading aloud from it,” a source claimed. “At that moment another prisoner spotted him from a window and shouted ‘Russell’ which he responded to by raising his hand.”
The source said more prisoners then approached their windows and began shouting insults. According to that account, Brand did not immediately head back inside. “But he took it quite calmly. Instead of rushing back inside he put his arms behind his back and slowly walked towards the building while looking up towards the windows where the shouting was coming from to show he wasn’t rattled,” they said.
Another person who described seeing the encounter offered a different impression. “Brand looked miserable. And a little scared,” they said. “The other cons were shouting stuff down to him, calling him everything, and chanting. One of the inmates then yelled ‘Russell, lend me some money!’”
Sources Describe A Quieter Side In His Limited Interactions
Not every reported encounter has been hostile. Another source told the Daily Mail that Brand had been subdued during the conversations he had with fellow prisoners. “He has come across as very humble with the few inmates he has had any interactions with,” they said.
“There has been teasing with songs and p-sstaking, but the ones he’s spoken to have tended to be quite sympathetic, which may have made things slightly easier for him,” the source added.
Religion Was Already Part Of Brand’s Public Life Before Prison
Brand’s reported reliance on prayer follows his public embrace of Christianity and the religious content he produced before his conviction. He and Laura hosted videos featuring Bible readings, prayer and discussions about their marriage and family. During one pre-sentencing installment, he had spoken to her about his fear of going to prison.
Now, according to the Daily Mail’s sources, those religious practices have become a major part of how he spends his time in custody.
