Sean 'Diddy' Combs experienced a starkly different Thanksgiving this year, trading his legendary star-studded parties for a prison cell at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. The 56-year-old hip-hop mogul is serving a four-year sentence following his conviction on prostitution-related charges.
A Humble Holiday Menu Behind Bars
Known for hosting extravagant celebrations, Combs faced a dramatic downgrade in his holiday dining experience. His Thanksgiving menu began with breakfast served around 6:30 a.m., featuring bran flakes, whole wheat bread, bananas, and two jelly packets with margarine, accompanied by skim milk.
Lunch offered a slightly more traditional holiday meal, served between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Inmates could choose between roasted turkey or soy chicken with vegetables, complemented by sides of cornbread, dressing, baked sweet potato, mashed potatoes, corn, chicken gravy, and whole wheat bread. The meal included the option of fruit or a holiday dessert with a beverage.
Dinner at 4:30 p.m. returned to standard prison fare, offering the choice of a deli meat and sliced cheese sandwich or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with sides including potato chips, fruit, dessert, or whole wheat bread and jelly.
Extended Sentence and Prison Infractions
Combs' incarceration has faced complications since his transfer to the New Jersey facility on October 30. His original release date of May 8, 2028, has been pushed back to June 4, 2028, though the specific reasons remain unclear.
The rapper has reportedly faced several infractions, including allegations of consuming a fermented concoction of Fanta, sugar and apples, though his representatives have strongly denied these claims. A statement from his team insisted: 'The rumors claiming Mr. Combs was caught with alcohol are completely false. His only focus is becoming the best version of himself and returning to his family.'
However, prison documents obtained by CBS News confirm Combs received disciplinary action for making an unauthorized three-way call on November 3, violating prison rules that prohibit inmates from adding multiple people to calls.
Rehabilitation Efforts and Christmas Behind Bars
Despite these challenges, Combs has enrolled in the coveted Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), which could potentially reduce his sentence by up to one year. His lawyers successfully petitioned the court for his admission, arguing that drug abuse was a significant factor in his criminal behaviour.
Combs has also taken on the role of chaplain's assistant, considered one of the more desirable assignments within the prison system. His publicist noted he 'works in the chapel library, where he describes the environment as warm, respectful and rewarding.'
The rapper will spend Christmas in prison, where the holiday menu remains largely unchanged except for lunch, when he'll have the option of a baked cornish hen instead of soy chicken with vegetables. All other sides and dessert options remain the same as his Thanksgiving fare.
Combs has restarted his Free Game With Diddy entrepreneurial class to help fellow inmates, continuing his focus on business leadership and personal development even while incarcerated.
