Tory Lanez is now speaking out following the abrupt halt of his Prison Tapes series after guards seized his recording equipment during a cell raid. According to TMZ Hip Hop, Ceasar McDowell, a chief deputy on Tory’s legal team, was informed that recording devices are “strictly forbidden” in the California Correctional Institution. This comes as a blow to Lanez, who has been using the equipment to release new music while serving a 10-year sentence for his involvement in the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.

On Tuesday (Sept. 10), the singer took to Instagram, alleging that his project was shut down because prison officials were aware he was helping other inmates find a path to freedom. “The rumors are true. The Prison Tapes will be discontinued until further notice,” Tory began. “However, I think it’s important that my fans know the truth about the crooked ass shit that’s really going on here. My cell was not raided and trashed because I learned how to record myself in prison or because I created the Prison Tapes. I was shut down because the ‘HIGHER UPS’ figured out what I was really doing with the Prison Tapes and how many inmates were being helped in a life-changing way because of them.”

The Brampton native continued, “Since the first day I was incarcerated, all I’ve seen is blacks and other minorities receive the most cruel, illegal, and unfair punishment/treatment. For so many nights, I asked God to reveal his purpose in making me go through the ills of the prison system. I was later shown that purpose. I was placed in jail to suffer, to feel, and to witness firsthand the pain and oppression being inflicted upon the young black and brown men and women of my generation. I knew I had to change this injustice.”

He added, “So, I made a plan that when I got to prison, I would figure out a way to record music and put all the proceeds towards the legal representation of my fellow inmates, giving them a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go home to their families on appeal and resentencing. Although the ‘HIGHER UPS’ have stopped The Prison Tapestemporarily, they were too late to stop my overall plan. Since the month of July, I’ve afforded legal representation for 472 inmates and actively reopened 476 cases.” Check out the full statement below.

The Prison Tapes series was launched in July. It featured nine tracks recorded from behind bars.