Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is serving his prison sentence at the Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution in New Jersey, where he is actively participating in an intensive drug treatment program and working as a chaplain’s assistant, though his early incarceration has been complicated by a disciplinary issue over an unauthorized phone call. The disgraced music mogul, 56, was transferred to this low-security facility on October 30 after being sentenced to 50 months for prostitution-related charges, and his new mugshot, revealing his gray hair and beard, was taken upon arrival, drawing widespread media attention.
Combs has secured a role as a chaplain’s assistant, which is considered one of the more desirable assignments at Fort Dix. In this position, he maintains the chapel’s religious library, cleans the office, and assists with record-keeping, working in a private, air-conditioned space. The job offers prestige within the prison environment and allows occasional access to food brought in for religious services. Additionally, chaplains’ assistants can help prepare call-out lists that manage inmate movements for programs or medical appointments, providing a degree of influence.
Simultaneously, Combs is enrolled in the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP), the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ most intensive drug treatment offering. Participation in RDAP can reduce an inmate’s sentence by up to one year, and placement is not common at the start of a sentence, requiring qualification. Combs’ publicist, Juda Engelmayer, stated that he has “taken his rehabilitation process seriously from the start” and is “fully engaged in his work, focused on growth, and committed to positive change.”
However, Combs faced disciplinary action for participating in an unauthorized three-person phone call on November 3, just days after his transfer. Prison rules prohibit multi-party calls due to security concerns, such as potential coordination of criminal activity like drug smuggling or witness intimidation. During the call, Combs discussed arranging visitors for the weekend and suggested they bring “200 singles,” despite regulations banning currency other than coins for vending machines.
Combs later explained that the call was with his legal team to draft a statement for The New York Times and claimed he was unaware of the phone regulations, as he had not received the prison orientation handbook. Prison officials recommended a penalty of losing 90 days of phone privileges and 90 days of commissary privileges, with the ruling filed on November 4, Combs’ 56th birthday. It remains unclear whether this penalty has been enforced, but a source close to the investigation described it as a “serious offense that shows a disregard for the rules.”
Engelmayer defended the call, stating it was “a procedural call initiated by one of his attorneys and was protected under attorney-client privilege,” emphasizing that there was “nothing improper.” This incident highlights the challenges Combs faces in balancing legal communications with strict prison protocols, as his team continues to manage his public image and legal affairs from behind bars.
Combs was convicted in July on two counts related to prostitution but was found not guilty on more severe sex trafficking charges. His legal team had specifically requested placement at Fort Dix for its rehabilitation programs, underscoring his commitment to addressing drug and anger issues. In a sentencing memo, Combs wrote, “Prison will change you or kill you — I choose to live,” reflecting his focus on personal reform. With a scheduled release date of May 8, 2028, his engagement in programs like RDAP and the outcomes of disciplinary actions will shape his prison experience and potential for early release.
