R. Kelly has been moved to general population after spending
weeks in solitary confinement in a Chicago prison.
According to Page Six, the disgraced singer was transferred
out of a solitary housing unit on Tuesday, September 3, following an emergency
motion from his attorneys saying he had been unfairly treated behind bars
because he was a celebrity.
His attorney, Steven Greenberg claimed the singer was only
placed in solitary confinement by prison officials as a form of punishment.
R.Kelly's transfer sparked an irate letter from Chicago
prosecutors, who claimed the embattled R&B legend wanted to be in solitary
confinement in the first place.
"Defendant stated that the MCC staff told him that he
could ‘try it [general population] in a couple of days to see what it looked
like but they can’t guarantee nothing,'” prosecutors wrote, quoting from a
recorded phone call Kelly made on July 19 from Chicago’s Metropolitan
Correctional Center, where he’s awaiting trial on child porn charges.
R. Kelly allegedly expressed fear during the call, saying:
“You know, and that’s why, I was like, hmmm, too many people up on you and I
done seen too many movies, you know."
Prosecutors said prison officials planned for a safe move
the moment Kelly first asked to leave solitary on August 19.
“MCC staff did not deny the request, but rather started to
review the general population housing options. In fact, MCC staff took steps to
ensure a safe transition to general population by initiating a threat
assessment to determine if there were any safety or security concerns with
housing defendant in general population,” the filing reads.
But Kelly's lawyer, Greenberg maintains that his client had
no "meaningful interaction" with humans.
"Once [prison officials] could assure his safety it was
time to move him," Greenberg said. "He has been a model inmate and
should be treated with an appropriate level of respect and privilege, not as if
he has misbehaved."
Greenberg said security measures have been put in place to
ensure his client is safe while in general population.
R. Kelly will now be allowed 10 non-attorney visits instead
of the previously allowed one. He'll also have a longer leash for phone calls
and emails. Also, the singer will now be able to go out into the yard with
other prisoners during rec time.
Kelly, 52, is facing four sex crimes charges involving
minors in three different states, including federal indictments in Illinois and
Brooklyn.
