Lil Durk’s Dad Calls Solitary Confinement ‘Harassment’ as Judge Delays Bond Decision

Lil Durk’s father is speaking out — and he is not mincing words.

Dontay Banks Sr., better known as Big Durk, told TMZ in Los Angeles on Wednesday that his son’s placement in solitary confinement is nothing more than “harassment,” and he believes the timing is no coincidence. Durk is fighting for his freedom, and his father says authorities are targeting him right ahead of a major bond hearing.

Big Durk insisted his son is staying strong and focused despite the isolation, though he admitted the family has not been able to communicate with him while he is in solitary. He was joined by his spiritual representative, Zül-Qarnaįn, who said Durk remains grounded in his faith and is asking fans to keep him in their prayers. Big Durk’s message to supporters was simple: “Keep us in prayer.”

Durk was moved into the jail’s Special Housing Unit on October 30 at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. Sources told TMZ his cell had been repeatedly searched, with no contraband found, and that he was allegedly disciplined after questioning the searches. A union secretary representing Bureau of Prisons employees confirmed the transfer. The Bureau of Prisons has not confirmed the reason for his placement, citing privacy and security concerns.

This is not Durk’s first time in restrictive housing. His attorneys previously challenged a 131-day stay in solitary confinement that began in August 2025 following an allegation involving an unauthorized Apple Watch. His legal team argued he had been confined for approximately 23 hours a day, with limited access to visitation and other privileges. He returned to the general jail population in January 2026.

Then came Wednesday’s bond hearing — and no decision. After a two-hour hearing that ran from 2:30 to 4:30 PM, Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald told the courtroom he will not decide on Durk’s bond today. Instead, the judge plans to review filings from both sides over the coming days before ruling.

Durk’s legal team came prepared with a substantial bond package, including character letters from Jay-Z, J. Cole, and many others, plus a guarantee of up to $1 million from Sony Music Entertainment. Federal prosecutors pushed back hard, arguing that Durk is a flight risk and a risk to the community, and that celebrity endorsements alone should not be enough to get him a bond. In a filing the same day, prosecutors also took direct aim at the celebrity support, saying it should not be allowed to influence the proceedings through publicity.

The stakes are high. Durk was acquitted in September of all five charges in his federal murder-for-hire trial, but he remains behind bars as he awaits a separate federal trial on racketeering and firearms charges, scheduled for August 30, 2027. His attorneys have said prosecutors are happy to expedite that trial, but until then, the question is whether Durk spends the months ahead at home or in federal custody.

For now, his father is holding onto faith — and asking fans to do the same.

Watch Durk’s Grammy-winning collaboration with J. Cole below — “All My Life” — and keep Durk and his family in your thoughts as this case continues to develop.

What do y’all think — is the timing of Durk’s solitary placement a coincidence, or is his father right? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and keep it locked to Kiss 101.7 for every update on Lil Durk’s bond fight. Got a request or a hot take? Hit the request line at +1 302-357-9831 — we want to hear from you!

Source: TMZ and HotNewHipHop