Disgraced Lord Archer was "subdued" as he arrived at Belmarsh top-security prison in south-east London last night.
While his lawyers plan an appeal, the millionaire novelist faces at least two weeks along with 837 Category A and B prisoners - including Great Train robber Ronnie Biggs and Barry George, convicted for the murder of Jill Dando - before transfer to an open prison.
If that proves vaguely tolerable for the man who yesterday travelled to the Old Bailey in a chauffeur-driven car from his luxury penthouse overlooking the Thames, Archer's immediate introduction to the prison regime will have proved brutal.
Like any other inmate the reception process will have seen him photographed, finger printed and strip-searched before an induction process and medical examination to decide if he should be placed on suicide watch. Stripped of his personal property, he will have been issued with a prison number, along with a prison hygiene kit, two regulation sheets and blankets and one pillow.
He will be allowed to wear his own clothes in preference to prison service jeans and plastic slip-on shoes, may work as a library or education orderly, and will be given a weekly allowance of £2.50.
For recreation, Archer may choose the sports hall and weights room or the library, apparently well stocked with copies of his own best-sellers.