The judge who sentenced Sean “Diddy” Combs last week has officially responded to the rapper’s plea to serve time at a low-security federal facility in New Jersey.
Combs, who was handed a four-year and two-month prison sentence for two prostitution-related charges, had asked to be placed at FCI Fort Dix, a minimum-security correctional institution known for its drug rehabilitation program and proximity to New York City.
Alongside the prison term, Combs was also ordered to pay a $500,000 fine, marking a dramatic fall from grace for one of hip-hop’s most influential moguls.
Judge: Diddy should serve time “as close as possible” to NYC
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian replied to Combs’ legal team’s formal request.
While he did not name Fort Dix specifically, he indicated support for the idea of placing Diddy in a facility near New York City.
“The court will recommend a facility in the geographic location of the defense’s choosing, but not the specific facility, which is determined by the Bureau of Prisons,” the judge wrote, as per Yahoo!.
He continued: “The court recommends that the defendant be incarcerated as close as possible to the New York metropolitan area, and recommends that the defendant be considered for admission to any available substance abuse program, including the Bureau of Prisons’ Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), for which he qualifies.”
Judge Subramanian also set an October 10 deadline for Combs’ attorneys to request a different geographic location if needed.
Why Diddy wants Fort Dix
On Tuesday, Diddy’s legal team, led by attorney Teny Geragos, submitted the formal plea for placement at Fort Dix, citing both personal and rehabilitative reasons.
“In order to address drug abuse issues and to maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts, we request that the court strongly recommend to the Bureau of Prisons that Mr. Combs be placed at FCI Fort Dix,” Geragos wrote.
The facility, located in Burlington County, New Jersey, is a low-security federal prison known for housing several high-profile inmates over the years (including NFL player Aaron Hernandez, actor Robert Downey Jr., and TV personality Joe Giudice), News Nation details.
If approved, Combs would have access to Fort Dix’s Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) and a variety of educational and vocational training programs, which his legal team argues would support rehabilitation.
Inside Fort Dix: what awaits Diddy
Should the Bureau of Prisons approve the placement, Diddy’s day-to-day life will be starkly different from the luxury he’s accustomed to.
The prison’s commissary list offers inmates access to small comforts (including snack foods, soft drinks, and hygiene items) but the amenities are minimal.
Fort Dix’s open-dorm housing and communal dining areas are designed for low-risk offenders and those nearing release, far from the plush surroundings of Diddy’s past lifestyle.
Diddy’s trial and sentencing: the road to prison
Combs’ sentencing followed a months-long trial that drew global attention, centering on accusations of human trafficking and prostitution.
While he was acquitted of racketeering charges, the jury convicted him on two counts related to the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for illicit purposes.
Prosecutors initially sought an 11-year sentence, arguing that Combs’ conduct warranted a longer term. However, Judge Subramanian imposed a 50-month sentence, balancing accountability with rehabilitation prospects.
From music mogul to inmate
For a man who once dominated the music and fashion industries (and built an empire around the persona of luxury and control) Diddy’s next chapter will be spent behind bars.
Whether he ends up at Fort Dix or another nearby facility, his life will now unfold within concrete walls, bound by strict schedules and a far humbler rhythm than the one that made him famous.
