Cell Block Party

Things like this almost make me wish I was in prison:

From NY1:

Velella Reportedly Sharing Cell Block With Rapper "Shyne"
DECEMBER 29TH, 2004 -- As he settles back into his cell on Rikers Island, former state Senator Guy Velella may find he isn't the only well-known inmate on the block.

According to published reports, Velella shares a cell block with the rapper Shyne.

Shyne, whose real name is Jamal Barrow, is serving a 10-year sentence for firing a gun at a Midtown nightclub in a case that gained national attention because it also involved P. Diddy and Jennifer Lopez.

Shyne is at Rikers only temporarily.

Velella turned himself in Monday to serve the remainder of his one-year sentence on bribery charges after a court ruled his early release was improper.

Velella was released nine months early in September by a previously obscure city panel, the Local Conditional Release Commission, raising concerns about improper influence. An ensuing investigation found the decision was technically illegal because the minimum number of members was not physically present at the vote.

The Court of Appeals is expected to decide next month whether to take up his case.

The once powerful Bronx Republican pleaded guilty last May to accepting bribes in exchange for steering government contracts.