Lil Durk has been moved to solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles just days before a scheduled bond hearing, according to reports from prison officials.
The Grammy-winning artist, born Durk Banks, was reportedly relocated to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) on Friday following a series of verbal exchanges with correctional staff. Jose Rojas, a union secretary for Bureau of Prisons employees, confirmed the move to TMZ, indicating that the rapper’s housing status changed late last week.
Sources familiar with the situation alleged that Banks had been subjected to frequent, random cell searches as authorities looked for contraband such as unauthorized mobile phones. Despite multiple sweeps, officials have reportedly failed to find any prohibited items in the rapper’s possession. The transfer to solitary confinement reportedly occurred after Banks questioned the frequency of these searches.
A deputy warden allegedly accused the rapper of “talking back” during the inquiry, leading to the disciplinary reassignment. The Bureau of Prisons declined to provide specific details regarding the incident, citing safety and privacy protocols. “For privacy, safety, and security reasons we do not discuss the conditions of confinement for any individual in our custody, including housing assignments, potential disciplinary infractions, or internal security measures,” the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement.
The timing of the disciplinary action is significant, as Banks is scheduled for a critical bond hearing on Nov. 4. His legal team has reportedly gathered support from high-profile figures, including Jay-Z, J. Cole and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, who have submitted character statements in hopes of securing his release pending trial.
Banks is currently awaiting trial on federal racketeering and firearms charges. While he was recently acquitted in a separate murder-for-hire case in September, the remaining felony charges carry significant potential prison time. His trial for the racketeering case was originally slated for this fall but has since been postponed to August 2027.
The Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles has not indicated how long Banks will remain in the SHU.
