Ten weeks in jail has had an effect on Joshua Wong; he is pensive, reflective and thinner. It is an experience that has forced him to weigh up the cost of being the most recognised face of Hong Kong's democracy campaign.

His imprisonment alongside two other leading activists for their role in the massive 2014 Umbrella Movement rallies, which called for fully free leadership elections, came after the city's Beijing-backed government pursued jail terms for the trio.

That was widely seen as another illustration of the pressure semi-autonomous Hong Kong is under from an increasingly assertive China, and brought into question whether its cherished independent judiciary has been compromised.

Wong, 21, and fellow activist Nathan Law, 24, were released last week on bail pending an appeal against their jail terms. If they lose, they could be sent back to serve the remainder of their sentences -- Wong was given six months, Law eight months.

Prison demands "absolute submission" to the authorities there, Wong says, describing his anger at how marginalised young people he met in jail were treated.

He was housed in a cell measuring around 50 square feet (4.5 sq m), and recalls how he was forced to crouch naked in front of one officer.

"We'd just had our body checks, which were not a problem, but after that he didn't let me put back on my clothes, and made me squat, tilt my head up and talk to him. Prison is not a place to have dignity," Wong told AFP.

In addition to the current jail term, Wong is also awaiting sentencing on another charge relating to the 2014 protests.

"I hope as people continue to show their support, they won't treat us too much like heroes," said Wong.

He has become particularly conscious of the toll on his family.

Wong still lives with his parents and shares a bedroom with his brother, which is filled with books and the young activist's robot collection.