R. Kelly says he’s being punished by being placed on suicide watch in a Brooklyn detention center, so now he’s suing.
Kelly filed a lawsuit against MDC Brooklyn when he was placed on suicide watch with heavy restrictions after he was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday.
In court documents obtained by TMZ, Kelly says he has no intentions of hurting himself and he objects to the “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Kelly says he’s in a single cell without bed rails, no showers, no shaving, no toilet paper, and he’s being forced to eat meals with his hands because he can’t use utensils.
Kelly thinks he was placed on suicide watch because he’s a celebrity.
He argues that his 8th Amendment rights are being violated because “he is not suicidal and expressly told MDC officials that he was not suicidal and had no thoughts of harming himself or others.”
In the documents, Kelly mentions Jeffrey Epstein and associate Ghislaine Maxwell — who were also placed on suicide watch.
Kelly complained about being cut off from loved ones. He says it’s ironic that inmates on suicide watch don’t receive psychiatric care.
Kelly also named MDC Brooklyn warden, Heriberto H. Tellez in his lawsuit. The “I Believe I Can Fly” singer/songwriter is suing for damages from emotional distress.
The Bureau of Prisons tells TMZ: “The BOP is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all inmates in our population, our staff, and the public. Humane treatment of the men and women in our custody is a top priority.”
