Update: A judge ordered Jussie Smollett released from jail on bond pending his appeal on Wednesday.
According to reports, Smollett’s attorneys argued that he would have completed his sentence by the time the appeal process was over. They also claimed he was in danger of physical harm after receiving threatening phone calls.
Original post published on March 16, 2022 at 6:41 p.m.
Jussie Smollett is giving up food for the next 5 weeks while serving his sentence in the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois.
Sources tell TMZ that Jussie is “fasting for spiritual reasons” and that he stopped eating since observing Lent on March 2.
Jussie reportedly stopped eating a week before he was sentenced to serve 150 days in jail for lying to police about a hate crime hoax.
Sources tell TMZ Jussie has only had sips of water and he plans to continue fasting until Lent ends on Easter Sunday.
Sources say Jussie is not on a hunger strike or protesting his incarceration. The disgraced actor was placed on suicide precautions in the jail’s mental health unit following his outburst in court after he was sentenced on March 10.
Jussie yelled “I am not suicidal! I’m innocent!” and raised his fist in defiance as he was led out of the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies.
On Wednesday, his brother, Jocqui Smollett said Jussie was in restraints while on the medical unit.
Jocqui (pictured) said Jussie was moved to a regular cell with a bed in it thanks to support from his fans who re-posted the hashtag #FreeJussie online.
However, a rep for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office denied that Jussie was in restraints while on the mental ward.
Jail officials said he was moved out of the mental ward because health services needed space for another inmate.
