New York, NY – R. Kelly was reportedly moved into the general prison population on Tuesday (September 3). The embattled R&B singer had previously been in solitary confinement.
According to TMZ, Kelly’s attorney Steven Greenberg said the singer was only in solitary as a form of punishment because of not only his celebrity but also the “prurient nature” of his alleged crimes.
Greenberg added there will be extra security measures in place to keep Kelly safe due to the more dangerous nature of general population. Now that he’s out of solitary, Kelly will be allowed 10 non-attorney visit instead of just one. He’ll also have more time for phone calls and emails and time outside in the recreation area.
Prosecutors confirmed Kelly was moving to general population in a court filing of their own, explaining he was only in solitary briefly and at his request.In the documents, state prosecutors said Kelly initially wanted in a secluded wing of the prison called the Special Housing Unit with no cellmates.
Kelly was arrested in July while in his hometown of Chicago on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Early last month, Kelly was in a New York federal court where he pleaded not guilty.
In Brooklyn and Chicago, Kelly faces a total of 18 counts for alleged crimes against 10 victims. Kelly faces a maximum prison sentence of 195 years in Chicago alone. He faces decades more in New York and was already facing state charges that could imprison him for up to 30 years.
A judge has denied bail.
