Jailed “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is in protective custody and his cell is being monitored at all times, Illinois officials said.
TMZ reported that Smollett’s camp made the request. A Cook County police spokesperson told the tabloid that security cameras will monitor Smollett’s cell in addition to an officer wearing a body camera.
On Thursday, a judge sentenced Smollett, 39, to 150 days in Cook County jail and 30 months of probation for fabricating a hate crime against himself in 2019. Smollett has maintained his innocence.
According to TMZ, Smollett will be allowed to visit the jail’s common areas to watch television and use the telephone — but other inmates are barred from being there at the same time.
Cook County police also told TMZ that Smollett underwent a medical and mental health assessment following Thursday’s sentencing. He reportedly also received a security assessment once locked up.
Smollett was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine for his role in the hate crime hoax.
Though Smollett did not testify during his trial, he broke his silence after Thursday’s sentencing to proclaim that should he die behind bars, he did not kill himself.
“I did not do this and I am not suicidal and if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself and you must all know that,” he said as officers led him away.
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[Featured image: Jussie Smollett/Cook County Jail]
