Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ‘special privileges’ in prison revealed by former inmate
Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, after being charged earlier last month with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs, 54 – who was denied bail by a judge and pleaded not guilty to all charges – was arrested on September 16 and is now awaiting trial.
The American hip-hop mogul is known for his lavish lifestyle, but what is life really like for one of the world’s biggest stars in prison?
Former Married at First Sight star Timothy Smith, who previously served time in a US federal prison, says Diddy’s current prison conditions are appalling.
Smith said that despite Diddy’s wealth and status, life in prison does not provide “special treatment.”
“His money and wealth will not bring him any benefit,” he told Daily Mail Australia, drawing on his own experiences with prisoners of high social status.
‘In the federal system it is so limited that you don’t get extra privileges because you are rich. A few basics, such as a tracksuit and sneakers, are allowed by the commissioner, but that’s about it. They raid and if you try to stock up, they take everything.”
Smith painted a grim picture of prison life, explaining that guards often use isolation as a tool to break inmates.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, after being charged last month with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution
Former Married at First Sight star Timothy Smith, who previously served time in a US federal prison, says Diddy’s current prison conditions are dire
“He’s in the management unit, so no, he doesn’t have access to other inmates,” he said.
‘People think there are TVs and radios, but where he is there is nothing, not even a radio. You will receive a Bible and one book per week. That’s it,” he said.
Smith added that the star will also have very limited access to communications with the outside world.
“You only get 300 minutes on the phone a month,” he said.
‘So if you talk on the phone for 30 minutes a day, after ten days you won’t get a phone call for the next twenty days.
“Sometimes you run out of minutes in the first week, and then you’re just talking to yourself.”
“His money and wealth will not bring him any advantage,” Timothy explained, drawing from his own experiences with prisoners of high social status.
Smith added that Diddy will not have a chance to negotiate special treatment while in jail.
“Even if he was part of the general population, there is not one cell, one TV. There will be a hundred people in that pod, and there are generally only a few TVs, separated by race,” he explained.
“His wealth won’t help him here, not at all.”
According to Smith, Diddy’s future looks bleak.
‘He doesn’t watch TV. And the next time he’s on a plane, it will be with 200 prisoners at ConAir. He won’t get out of here easily.’
‘He’s in the management unit, so no, he doesn’t have access to other prisoners. People think there are TVs and radios, but where he is there is nothing – not even a radio. You will receive a Bible and one book per week. That’s it,” he said
Diddy’s case is a high-profile one, and if convicted, he could face a lengthy sentence.
“Once the FBI indicted you, they made their case. The best advice I could give him? Accept where you are. There is a non-negotiable way out of the federal charge,” Smith explained.
“If you think you’re going to beat them, they’ll break you down.
“In my experience, three guys took their cases to court thinking they could win, and they ended up with much harsher sentences than they would have received if they had accepted a plea deal.”
In 2006, Smith was arrested for drug trafficking after flying marijuana across the Canada-US border, using his skills as a pilot.
Despite earning a lucrative sum for his crimes, Smith’s operation came to an end when he was captured by U.S. Customs officers, leading to a one-year prison sentence, which was extended due to immigration complications.
In 2006, Timothy was arrested for drug trafficking after flying marijuana across the Canada-US border, using his skills as a pilot