Rapper T.I. released from prison early, headed to halfway house

Rapper T.I., real name Clifford Harris Jr., was released from prison Wednesday a month early, bound for a halfway house in his home state of Georgia from a low-security federal prison in Arkansas where he'd been held after violating federal probation.

"Feels great to be back where I belong ... Back in the arms of those who need me the most,
shortly after leaving federal prison in ArkansasThe storm is over & da sun back outT.I. was sentenced in October 2010 to 11 months in prison for violating his probation on federalweapons charges. An experimental sentence in that case had him touring to talk to kids about the dangers of violence and drugs before serving seven months in prison and doing the halfway-house thing back in 2009. His probation required that he obey all laws and possess no controlled substances.The rapper and his wife,were arrested a year ago on suspicion of drugpossession after a Sept. 1 traffic stop on the Sunset Strip. With the federal probation violation loomingfor T.I., local prosecutors did not pursue charges against himCharges against Tiny were also dropped after24 sessions in a drug-diversionThose who need me most" include his wife, with whom the two boys and a stepdaughter, and his two sons and a daughter from previous relationships.Also awaiting T.I. on the outside? A deal with HarperCollins to publish a novel he's writtenlook forPower & Beauty" in Octoberand a VH1 reality show set to air in December, chronicling his return home from prison. He turns 31 on Sept. 25.