Vh1 - T.i.'S Wife Accuses Prison Officials Of Targeting Rapper

The hip-hop star, real name Clifford Harris, Jr., walked free from an Arkansas incarceration facility last Wednesday (31Aug11) after serving 10 months of an 11-month sentence for a probation violation, but he was hauled back to prison just two days later (01Sep11) after he was caught allegedly conducting banned business meetings onboard a luxury bus transporting him to a halfway house in his native Georgia.

It appears lawmakers were unhappy that his manager and two producers from TV network VH1 were passengers on the bus.

In documents, a prison representative writes, "Such people were not authorised to travel with him in the conditions of furlough."

The rapper also fell foul of the law by allegedly discussing potential business ventures with the Vh1 executives, which was not allowed under prison guidelines.

But now the star's attorney Steve Sadow insists he was unaware that his client had flouted any prison rules, telling MTV News, "Bureau of Prison officials did not specifically state at any time that T.I. was limited to being in the vehicle with his wife and no one else. There is nothing that was specifically instructed or directed on this.

"He had no reason to think there would be a problem travelling with these particular people, because his manager had been approved for visitation and had seen him several times at the facility in Arkansas and the producer had been approved for visitation and had seen him several times."

And Harris, Jr.'s wife Cottle has now blasted officials for imprisoning the star again, telling Tmz.com, "It's important that the world know how unfair he's being treated on such minor charges... all because he's T.I.

"There are way more dangerous and carefree (celebrities) that get slapped on the wrist and sent on their way. Our family needs (him)... and because of someone's personal vendetta against him, we have to watch our kids' sad faces everyday when he still doesn't show up at home."

He is scheduled for release in the coming weeks.