Despite facing serious federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and other criminal accusations, Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ life inside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn appears to be far from the torturous experience many might expect.
According to Gene Borrello, a former inmate familiar with the unit, Diddy’s day-to-day life in the MDC is relatively comfortable for someone awaiting trial.
Diddy’s Current Location in the MDC
As Diddy awaits his trial, his legal team continues to fight for his bail, though these requests have been denied multiple times, with prosecutors arguing that he is a flight risk and could potentially threaten witnesses. However, he is not placed in the most restrictive areas of the MDC.
Borrello informed The New York Times that Diddy is currently being housed in 4 North, a unit in the MDC that is considered a step down from the maximum security sections of the facility. According to Borrello, this area is less strict, and inmates are allowed more freedom.
Inmates in 4 North can watch television, use a small gym, and are generally not subjected to the extreme conditions found in other parts of the prison, which have previously been described as “hell on earth” by other inmates and advocates.
Diddy’s Access to Resources in the MDC
Despite being an inmate, Diddy is reportedly given access to a dummy computer that is not connected to the internet. This allows him time to study legal papers and prepare for his trial without distraction. His trial is set to begin the week of May 12, and his legal team is working hard to prepare his defense.
While his living conditions seem more relaxed than those of other inmates, he is still limited in what he can access. Like all prisoners, Diddy must adhere to strict commissary limits.
His personal spending is capped at $180 every two weeks, which his family or friends must top up regularly. Inmates can purchase items such as candy, junk food, and personal hygiene products.
The Prison Economy: Mackerel as Currency
In the MDC, cash has no value. Instead, mackerel packets, known as “macks”, are used as the primary currency among inmates. A packet of mackerel costs about $1 in the commissary, but it is used for bartering goods and services throughout the facility.
Even with his nine-figure fortune, Diddy is subject to these same rules, and he likely continues to spend his limited funds on these basic items, just like any other inmate.
Facing Serious Charges
Diddy is currently facing two federal charges and five total counts spread across three separate federal indictments. The charges include sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and other allegations. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and his legal team is preparing for his trial in the coming weeks.