- Lil Durk’s legal team says he has been in solitary for 131 days at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center.
- Attorneys allege the placement followed possession of an unauthorized Apple Watch and denies commissary and visits.
- A motion filed Jan. 6 requests a status hearing, citing potential federal regulation and Eighth Amendment violations.
- The rapper’s murder-for-hire trial has seen delays and prosecutorial safety motions amid the confinement claims.
Attorneys allege 131 days in isolation
Lil Durk’s lawyers say the rapper has spent 131 days in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. In a motion filed Jan. 6, 2026, defense counsel asked the court for a status hearing, arguing the confinement has occurred “without process” and may violate federal rules and the Eighth Amendment.
Apple Watch cited as reason for isolation
The defense claims Durk was placed in isolation after being found in possession of an unauthorized Apple Watch. According to attorney Christy O’Connor, Durk is confined to a cell the size of a single bed, toilet, and sink and has limited human contact.
Restrictions on commissary, calls, and visits
The motion says Durk has been denied access to the commissary, is allowed only one phone call per month, and receives no in-person visits. His legal team cited research on the harmful psychological effects of prolonged solitary confinement, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
Prison officials gave conflicting explanations, defense says
The motion alleges the Bureau of Prisons and the MDC provided inconsistent reasons for the extended isolation. Initially, an official allegedly told defense counsel the placement was not related to Durk’s celebrity status. Months later, the warden purportedly said Durk posed a threat to public safety because of his high-profile case and potential rule violations.
Legal context and related court activity
The claim of prolonged solitary comes as Durk faces a murder-for-hire prosecution. Prosecutors previously sought an anonymous jury, citing safety concerns tied to the rapper’s resources and influence. Co-defendants and prosecutors recently requested moving the trial from Jan. 20 to May 4, 2026.
The defense’s motion asks the court to review Durk’s confinement status and whether procedures governing disciplinary or protective placements were properly followed. It stresses documented harms from extended isolation and questions whether Durk’s treatment aligns with federal regulations.
What happens next
The court must schedule the requested status hearing and consider the defense’s claims. If judges find procedural violations, that could prompt review of the detention conditions or corrective action by prison officials.
For now, Lil Durk’s legal team awaits a hearing while the broader criminal case continues to evolve, including scheduling and pretrial disputes that will affect when the matter reaches trial.
Image Referance: https://www.complex.com/music/a/treyalston/lil-durk-apple-watch-solitary-confinement