Smollett brother outraged over Jussie being held in Psych Ward at Chicago jail

Jussie Smollett’s brother is outraged that he’s being held in the psych ward at the Chicago jail as opposed to being in the general population.

He’s claiming that they are holding his brother there because officials think he’s at risk of self-harm:

Jussie Smollett is being held in the psych ward at a Chicago jail — and his brother is flipping out.

The 39-year-old “Empire” actor, who remains at the Cook County Jail after being sentenced to five months behind bars for staging a hate crime, was thrown into the ward because of a paperwork snafu, his brother claims.

“What’s very concerning is that there was a note attached to the paperwork today, and it said on the front of his jail cell … that he is at risk of self-harm,” Jocqui Smollett said on Instagram.

“I want to just make it clear to folks that he is in no way shape or form at risk to self-harm and he wants to let folks know that, that he is very stable, he is very strong, he is very healthy and ready to take on the challenge that ultimately has been put up against him,” the sibling said in the post Saturday.

“This is not right,” Jocqui Smollett said. “This is complete lack of justice. It’s angering, it’s an outrage.”

Officials with the Chicago jail released a statement last week which is counter to nearly everything Smollett’s brother claims, saying he’s only in there because he’s a high profile inmate:

Officials said last week that Jussie Smollett, who ranted he wasn’t suicidal as he was hauled out of court Thursday, would be held in protective custody.

In a statement last week, authorities said the troubled actor was only in the ward because it’s one of the areas in the jail where high-profile inmates are housed.

“Mr. Smollett is not being held in solitary confinement,” the Cooks County Sheriff’s Office said in the statement. “The use of solitary confinement was abolished at the Cook County ail in 2016, and any claim that he is being held in the manner is false.”

The sheriff said Smollett is given “substantial time” out of his cell and is able to use the telephone, watch television “and interact with staff.”

“These protocols are routinely used for individuals ordered into protective custody who may potentially be at risk of harm due to the nature of their charges, their profession, or their noteworthy status,” the statement said.

Sounds like Jussie called his brother and lied about why he’s in the psych ward and now his brother is repeating those lies. Shocker.

But the truth is that after Jussie’s post-sentencing outburst last week on national television, he probably needs to be in the psych ward. No regret. No admission of guilt. And shouting he wasn’t suicidal as if he was about to be Epsteined. It was that moment that I think much of the county realized just how much of a head case he is and that he needs serious help.


Comment Policy: Please read our comment policy before making a comment. In short, please be respectful of others and do not engage in personal attacks. Otherwise we will revoke your comment privileges.