Rapper Clifford 'T.I.' Harris out of prison, into a halfway house

Rapper T.I., a.k.a. Clifford Harris, who since March has been serving a 366-day sentence on weapons charges, has been released from a low-security penitentiary in Forrest City, Ark., and moved to a halfway house in Atlanta, a move that his attorney said is not unusual. 

"It happens across the board as long as the inmates are eligible," attorney Steve Sadow told E! Online. "They decided that three months in a halfway house would assist him with reentering society."

The Grammy winner had served seven months and was eligible for time off for good behavior. He also got credit for time served in home detention.

At the halfway house he'll have more contact with his family and might be allowed to leave the house during business hours, his attorney said.

That's good news for longtime girlfriend Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, who last month said she planned to marry T.I. upon his release. Just a few weeks back she said he was doing well but was ready to come home.

So, why was he in prison in the first place?

In 1998 he was convicted of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, a felony. As a felon, he couldn't own guns. But on Oct. 13, 2007, he was arrested after he had a bodyguard (who turned out to be an informant) buy machine guns and silencers for him.

T.I. is expected to live at the halfway house for three months, CNN reports, and then he still owes about 500 hours of community service and 20 to 60 days of home incarceration -- in addition to a $100,300 fine.

Still, that's better than the sentence he originally faced before striking a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Before going to prison, he completed 1,000 community service hours, talking to at-risk kids about nonviolence. 

Wonder if his welcome home party will be anything as lavish -- and as filled with support -- as his going-away celebration was on Miami's Star Island back in March? 

We were gonna embed a video showing lots of support, and cool watches too, but shoot if someone didn't cuss right before the six-minute mark. 

Instead, scroll down to see T.I.'s press conference from around the same time, in which he expresses the desire that others would learn from his mistakes.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photos: Clifford "T.I." Harris speaks with youths in Atlanta on Feb, 20, 2009, top, as part of his agreed-upon community service. And on Oct. 10, 2009, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle reads a letter from the rapper during the BET Hip Hop Awards '09 in Atlanta, right. Credits: John Bazemore / Associated Press, top; Taylor Hill / Getty Images, right.

The Ministry has plenty of dish about celebrities getting their day (or days) in court. Recent names intersecting with the legal system include Buju Banton, John Stamos, Pauly Shore and Lil Wayne and other Grammy winners.

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Comments

[SVC]

i love t.i. and i thinks its great that he took total responsibility for his actions and is finally getting out of prison even if hes goin to a half way house

[Rita Darlene Walker Tampa, Fla]

I am so proud of this young man and like he says, hopefully others will follow and learn from his mistakes. Tiny has stuck by her man through out the good times and bad. This has had to be hard for her and the kids to see their father going through this, but he he knows that this was all his fault(and maybe a few others who call themselves his "friends"). Good luck Mr. Harris and please take care of that wonder and beauitful family you have. Tiny, you are a very strong woman, keep the faith, lovie :)

I have pancreactic Cancer and everyday I live one at a time. If I can do it, so can you, TI. God bless you son and keep the faith in yourself and love.

Merry Christmas!!

[lealmommie]

Welcome back................ stay out and get back in the studio, my kids love ur music,

[GrannySweets]

I think this guy is really great. I am glad they let him out of prison even if its a halfway house

[Tavisha smith]

i am very very proud of T.I and i hope him and his family will never have to go this event again i hope he laerned from his mistake i am looking forword to hearing more great music from him and i just i want to tell him that i love him and to keep it pimpin and be easy.

[Mustapha Ahmed(T.A)]

T.i well come back is tym 2 make d diffirence

[Shavada Williams]

i am ready for the best rapper alive to come back and show these rappers out here what the real definition of "hip-hop" is....

[jizelle]

im so proud of you baby!!! cant wait til you make some new music your the best!

[nakedra harris]

im so glad my out of jail

[Shan14high]

Man he needs to take his ass right back to jail....its all bout gucci now...things were great wit out him...hes gettin old n e way....lets b 4real....holla back...gucci all day bruh...lolz