Diddy Celebrates First Thanksgiving at Fort Dix Prison

Sean “Diddy” Combs marked his first Thanksgiving at Fort Dix federal prison in New Jersey on November 23, 2023, as he serves a 50-month sentence. The prominent rapper was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges but found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. This resulted in a sentence of just over four years. Despite speculation from his son regarding a potential early release, the 56-year-old celebrated the holiday within the confines of the facility.

Prison officials organized festive activities for inmates to commemorate the occasion, including sports tournaments, holiday concerts, and card games. According to a spokesperson for the prison, these events provided a sense of community for the inmates during the holiday season. Additionally, inmates were allowed holiday visits from friends and family, adding a personal touch to the day.

As part of the Thanksgiving celebration, the standard prison menu was enhanced with a special feast. The Federal Bureau of Prisons provided a meal that included 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 Combs’ first holiday spent in custody. He was initially taken into custody in September 2024 and remained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn throughout his two-month trial, which concluded in July 2025. Following his sentencing, he was transferred to the New Jersey facility to allow for greater family visitation and rehabilitation efforts, as noted by his legal team.

Despite this move, Fort Dix has a reputation that raises concerns about inmate conditions. Former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Joe Giudice, who served 17 months at Fort Dix, shared his experiences, describing the facility as grim. Giudice recounted, “There’s one bathroom per floor with toilets and showers, and everything is broken. A lot of the food is expired. It’s horrible. They don’t care.” He added that the environment felt chaotic, likening it to an “insane asylum.”

Regarding the conditions, Giudice noted, “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.” He expressed concerns about the lack of oversight from prison guards, stating, “[The guards] hear the shower going at night, and they just look the other way.”

Despite the challenges of incarceration, a spokesperson for Combs emphasized that he is dedicated to his rehabilitation. “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. “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 Combs navigates his first holiday season in prison, his focus remains on his legal challenges and personal growth, reflecting a commitment to bettering himself during this difficult time.