R. Kelly placed on suicide watch after being sentenced to 30 years in prison, his lawyer says

(CNN) R. Kelly has been placed on suicide watch at the federal detention facility in New York where he is being held after he was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, his lawyer said Friday.

But the disgraced R&B singer is not suicidal, attorney Jennifer Bonjean told CNN she believes, adding Kelly had been fearful of being put on suicide watch.

"The irony of putting someone on suicide watch when they're not suicidal is it actually causes more harm," Bonjean said.

Kelly, 55, was placed on suicide watch because he is well known, Bonjean said she was told by prosecutors who spoke with prison officials. CNN has reached out to prosecutors and the Bureau of Prisons for confirmation.

"It's punishment for being high-profile. And it's horrifying frankly," she said. "To put someone under suicide watch under those conditions is cruel and unusual when they don't need it."