Credit: Alamy

A new photo of R Kelly has surfaced in the middle of his prison sentence in Butner, North Carolina.

The R&B singer is serving a 30-year sentence at FCI Butner Medium I after being convicted of several crimes in 2021 and 2022.

He was found guilty of racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, coercion, sex trafficking, and violating the Mann Act.

Over the past week, a new image of the 59-year-old surfaced online. The pictures show a grey-bearded Kelly wearing a grey tracksuit with his arms folded, while standing back-to-back with another inmate.

The photo coincides with Kelly being released from isolation after spending roughly two weeks in solitary confinement. He was put in the Special Housing Unit after officers found him in possession of a retired warden’s phone number.

However, his lawyer, Beau Brindley, claims he was unfairly held. “Mr Kelly has been released from special housing,” he said. “No impropriety whatsoever was found with respect to his possession of the telephone number of a former prison official.”

He continued, “He was kept in special housing for approximately two weeks without legitimate cause before the facility was compelled to release him.”

Kelly is scheduled to be released from prison on December 21st, 2045, when he will be 78. However, he’s filed a motion for a new trial, with his attorney currently reviewing evidence.

US District Judge Martha M Pacold rejected his bond request in June 2025, considering him a danger to the community.

“Kelly has not produced any argument or evidence – much less clear and convincing evidence – challenging [the court’s previous] finding or indicating that circumstances have changed such that Kelly is no longer a flight risk or a danger to the community,” she said.