Inside Andrew O’Keefe’s ‘sad’ life behind bars: Prison insiders expose relentless bullying of fallen TV star
EXCLUSIVE
Andrew O’Keefe is constantly bullied by his fellow inmates as the former TV star struggles with his sad and lonely life behind bars.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal the 52-year-old’s celebrity status did not earn him any luxuries or special privileges at the Metropolitan Remand Centre in Sydney’s notorious Silverwater prison.
Instead, he has become a constant target of cruel mockery from the other accused criminals held at the centre. Prison insiders reveal that inmates take every opportunity to taunt the former Deal or No Deal presenter over his tragic downfall.
According to sources, one group of inmates was particularly ruthless, crossing their arms and shouting “No Deal!” at O’Keefe every time they saw him in the prison yard.
Despite the ongoing harassment, O’Keefe has not filed formal complaints about the way he is treated at the center, saying he wants to keep a low profile as much as possible.
Prison officials did not consider the booing serious enough to move the late Channel Seven star, who shares a twin-bed cell with another inmate at the centre, away from general population or offer him protective custody.
His daily routine is a world away from the flashy life he once led in his sprawling Bondi home, where he earned $800,000 a year from his dual presenting roles on Weekend Sunrise and the hit game show The Chase Australia.
Andrew O’Keefe arrives at Rose Bay police station before he was arrested last Monday
The 52-year-old is currently sharing a cell at Sydney’s Silverwater Prison remand centre
The former star is allowed to exercise in the prison yard every day before he is locked up in his cell between 3pm and 7am.
When he was last in custody two years ago, O’Keefe claims guards teased him about his fall from grace, subsequently accusing the former attorney of being a “demanding prima donna.”
But this time, there is no animosity between O’Keefe and his guards, who noted that the former TV host was much more modest about his tragic death.
“The last time he was here he was brash, arrogant and cocky,” a source inside Silverwater Prison told Daily Mail Australia.
This time he’s just very quiet and to himself.
“We haven’t had any problems with him. It’s actually a bit sad to see him like this.”
O’Keefe’s Spartan In a prison cell you will find a metal bunk bed, an open steel toilet, a jug and a sandwich toaster, but little else.
Every day at 7am he is taken out of bed for ‘Let Go’. He is then given a prison breakfast package with milk, bread, cereal and jam. After that he is allowed to walk around freely in the garden or watch television in the common room with the other suspects of the crimes in the centre.
At 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, there are roll calls, where O’Keefe and his cohorts receive their “packed lunches,” which usually consist of a sandwich and a piece of fruit.
All meals are taken in the prisoners’ cells. From 3:00 p.m. they are locked up for the rest of the day. They are not allowed out until the next morning.
His dinner is heated from a chill pack and is also given to him at 3pm. It is the only hot meal O’Keefe eats during the day.
During his long nights locked up with his cellmate, O’Keefe has access to a tablet computer, which he can use to watch television or play card games like patience for a fee. However, he is not allowed to use the internet.
While he is allowed to buy treats and extra groceries, he is limited to spending a maximum of $150 per month at the prison store.
TV’s former golden boy adjusts to his new life behind bars
Corrective Services NSW declined to comment on how O’Keefe is coping with his life behind bars “for security and privacy reasons”.
O’Keefe has been in custody since last Monday after being arrested for drug possession and violating his bail conditions.
The troubled artist last came into contact with the law two days ago after overdosing on heroin in his eastern Sydney apartment, requiring paramedics to resuscitate him and take him to hospital.
O’Keefe’s attorney was back in court Thursday, where a separate, unrelated charge was mentioned for the first time.
Police accuse the former TV presenter of driving under the influence of drugs in Darlinghurst, in central Sydney, on April 14.
His lawyer Jahan Kalantar asked for a two-week adjournment so he could seek advice from O’Keefe.
The magistrate granted permission but said O’Keefe must enter a plea when he next appeared in court on October 8.