R. Kelly has been moved out of solitary confinement after spending about two weeks in a special housing unit at a federal prison in North Carolina.
The 59-year-old singer had been placed in isolation at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner after prison staff discovered a notebook in his cell that included the phone number of a retired prison official. An internal review was launched to determine how Kelly obtained the contact information.
Kelly’s attorney, Beau Brindley, said the situation stemmed from a mentorship connection rather than any misconduct. “No impropriety whatsoever was found with respect to his possession of the telephone number of a former prison official,” Brindley told Los Angeles Magazine.
According to Brindley, Kelly remained in special housing while the facility reviewed the circumstances surrounding the number. “He was kept in special housing for approximately two weeks without legitimate cause before the facility was compelled to release him,” the attorney said.
Kelly is currently serving a 30-year federal prison sentence following convictions tied to racketeering and sex crimes in cases brought in New York and Illinois.
During his time in isolation, his legal team also raised concerns about his health and conditions inside the facility. Kelly previously accused a prison staff member of attempting to harm him, an allegation that has not been confirmed by prison officials.
Despite the investigation into the phone number, Kelly was ultimately released from solitary confinement after the review concluded.