After leaving an Arkansas federal prison, rapper T.I. (or Clifford Harris) was quickly escorted back to an Atlanta prison just days following his release.
According to the Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta native was scheduled to spend the remaining month of his 11 month prison sentence, which stemmed from his 2010 parole violation, in a residential transition facility (better known as a half-way house) in Atlanta.
However, his trip was abruptly detoured as prison officials escorted him back to an Atlanta prison upon his arrival. According to Steve Sadow, T.I.’s attorney, prison officials had taken issue with the rappers method of transport.
“We are awaiting the opportunity to quickly resolve whatever the issue may be that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has with T.I.’s method of transportation — bus — from Arkansas to Atlanta, so that T.I. can return to the halfway house to complete the remaining days of his sentence.”
However, Arkansas prison officials tell a slightly different story. T.I was sent back to prison because he allegedly misled prison officials into believing he would take a more low-key mode of transport. But the large, pimped-out tour bus which actually escorted him was a far cry from the “van”, he originally claimed would be utilized for the trip.
Ok, so here’s the legal breakdown; according to TMZ, an inmate in a low or medium security prison can use a private, unescorted mode of transportation to travel from the prison facility to halfway house so long as it’s previously approved. During this approval process, the prisoner must state specifically what type of transport will be used in case special provisions need to be made.
Although half-way house officials were in dispute with the U.S Marshalls, claiming it was ridiculous to transport the prisoner back given the non-severity of his offense; Marshalls escorted T.I back anyway claiming he was fully aware of the repercussions following an undisclosed, transportation vehicle.
To date, TI has served two stints in county jail, and two in federal prison which primarily stemmed from parole violations. T.I is presently due for release on September 29, 2011. Let’s hope by then he can make arrangements for a simple car ride home.
