Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Marks Thanksgiving Behind Bars at Fort Dix

Sean “Diddy” Combs spent his first Thanksgiving in custody at Fort Dix federal prison in New Jersey on November 23, 2023. The music mogul is serving a 50-month sentence after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, following a trial that concluded in July 2025. Although he faced serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, those allegations did not result in a conviction.

While hints from his son suggested a possible early release before the holiday season, the 56-year-old artist celebrated the occasion behind prison walls. However, his experience was not entirely bleak. According to a prison spokesperson, officials organized festive activities for inmates, including sports tournaments and holiday concerts, alongside card games. Moreover, inmates received permission for holiday visits from friends and family, allowing for a semblance of normalcy during the festive season.

In terms of dining, the usual prison fare was substituted with a special Thanksgiving menu. The Federal Bureau of Prisons provided inmates with a meal featuring turkey roast, soy chicken for vegetarians, vegetable corn bread stuffing, baked sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn, chicken gravy, whole wheat bread, and either fruit or a holiday dessert for lunch, as reported by the Irish Star.

This Thanksgiving is not Diddy’s first holiday spent in custody. He was initially taken into custody in September 2024 and held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn during his two-month trial. Following his sentencing, his legal team successfully petitioned for his transfer to Fort Dix to enhance family visitation opportunities and support his rehabilitation.

Despite being viewed as an upgrade from his previous facility, Fort Dix has its share of challenges. Former inmates have described the conditions as grim. Joe Giudice, a former star of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” shared his experience of serving 17 months at Fort Dix. He characterized the prison environment as harsh, noting that “there’s one bathroom per floor with toilets and showers and everything is broken.” He added, “a lot of the food is expired. It’s horrible. They don’t care.”

Giudice’s recollections paint a vivid picture of life behind bars. He recounted witnessing unsettling behaviors, stating, “I got up at, like, three or four in the morning to go to the bathroom, and you would see the craziest things in there, people you would never imagine.” He claimed that guards often ignored inappropriate behavior, saying, “[The guards] hear the shower going at night, and they just look the other way.”

In light of his circumstances, a spokesperson for Diddy emphasized that the rapper’s focus remains on his legal situation. “Sean Combs and his legal team are thoroughly focused on his expedited appeal. That is, and remains, his and their primary efforts,” the spokesperson stated. They further noted that Diddy is committed to using this time for personal growth, saying, “Sean is taking his incarceration seriously. He is working, counseling and mentoring, and trying to be the best version of himself and get back to his family quickly.”

As Diddy navigates this challenging chapter, the holiday season serves as a reminder of both the support he retains from his loved ones and the stark realities of prison life.