Rapper Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, is housed in a mental-health
unit at an Arizona State Prison Complex facility called Alhambra near
25th street and Van Buren.
DMX was sentenced to a year in jail
(minus 113 days served) on December 16, after he pleaded guilty to
violating the terms of his probation. At his sentencing, Judge Christine
Mulleneaux told him she believes he has “an undiagnosed mental
condition,” possibly bi-polar disorder.
DMX’s manager, Nakia Walker, wouldn’t comment
specifically on whether DMX might have a mental disorder, but she says
she wasn’t surprised when he was moved to a mental-health unit. The
rapper himself always has refused to comment on speculation about his
mental state. In 2001, he threatened to beat up writer William Shaw for
asking about it in a Blender magazine interview. “Waaaay too personal,” DMX said.
The
embattled hip-hop star is incarcerated for the 13th time. His record
includes more than 25 arrests across the nation, 11 felony convictions,
and 15 misdemeanor convictions.
Arizona Department of
Corrections files confirm that DMX was admitted to the Flamenco Mental
Health Unit at Alhambra on December 20. According to Walker, he will not
be allowed to have visitors for 30 days.
