R&B hitmaker Akon was pleasantly surprised by his three-year stint in a U.S. prison - because the experience wasn't horrible or terrifying. The Lonely singer, who was jailed after he was found guilty of grand theft auto, spent much of his time behind bars planning for a pop music career and penning songs that have since become massive hits.And, as much as he'd like to deter his young fans from following his bad example, Akon struggles to find horror stories about prison life.He says, "It definitely wasn't what I expected. It was actually a lot more pleasant."You hear all these horror stories. You watch (TV drama) Oz and prison movies, you see crazy stuff going on, and think, 'Man, I never want to go there.'"I would like to keep that image alive, because it scares people from wanting to go there."Akon shot to fame in 2004 with his debut album Trouble which spawned hit singles Locked Up, Lonely and Belly Dancer.
The single Locled Up was inspired by his time in jail.