In 2014, Chris Brown spent time in jail for violating the terms of his probation. The singer believed he matured while behind bars, and he grew more grateful for his freedom. Brown spoke about what his time in jail was like and revealed what he missed the most while he was incarcerated.

Chris Brown spoke about his time in jail in 2014

Brown violated his probation following his 2009 felony assault on his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. As a result, a judge sentenced him to 131 days in jail. He revealed how he spent this time.

“A guard wakes you up; you eat. You stay in your cell most of the time, basically 24 hours a day,” he told Billboard. “Maybe on Mondays you go to the roof inside of a cage and have a phone call. It’s isolation. You have time to focus on what matters, on what to do and what not to do.”

He admitted he didn’t feel particularly creative while in jail, so his music went to the wayside. He missed it, but the inability to see his family was a greater concern.

“I just missed my family,” he said. “At the end of the day, music is definitely a passion. But when you’re dealing with your own personal issues, family is first. I just dealt with that. I missed my dad and mom, all my cousins … seeing people’s faces and smiles … seeing people who were just encouraging and positive.”

He said getting out made him appreciate the small things.

“At the end of the day, it’s just a humbling experience,” he said. “You’re more appreciative of everything else that’s on the outside. A burger tastes 1,000 times better when you’re out.”

Brown has continued to face legal problems since his time in jail. This month, he was taken into custody in Manchester following an alleged attack at a nightclub in 2023.