It's the question everyone is hitting Google with this morning. You’ve probably seen the TikTok clips or the weirdly specific Facebook posts claiming he’s back home in Miami or spotted at a private airport. People are asking: has diddy been released from prison yet?
The short answer? No. Honestly, not even close.
Sean "Diddy" Combs is currently sitting in a cell at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. Despite the viral rumors and the constant "breaking news" banners on parody accounts, the Bad Boy mogul is still very much a ward of the state. He isn’t just waiting for a trial anymore, either. He’s officially serving time.
The Verdict That Changed Everything
To understand why he's still behind bars, we have to look back at that wild summer in 2025. Remember the headlines? The trial was a circus. After weeks of testimony that felt more like a Hollywood thriller than a courtroom proceeding, the jury came back with a split decision on July 2, 2025.
It was a shocker. Diddy actually dodged the heaviest hits. He was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking—charges that could have put him away for the rest of his life. But he didn't walk. The jury found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
In October 2025, Judge Arun Subramanian handed down a 50-month sentence. That’s a little over four years. When you factor in the time he already spent at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn while waiting for the trial, it adds up. But it doesn't add up to him being free in January 2026.
Why People Think He’s Out
Rumors are a hell of a drug. Recently, a parody account called "Hoops Crave" posted a claim that Diddy was "missing" from prison, which racked up millions of views in a matter of hours. People took it and ran. Then there’s the political angle.
Diddy reportedly wrote a personal letter to President Donald Trump asking for clemency. For a minute there, the internet was convinced a pardon was coming. Diddy was even telling fellow inmates at Fort Dix that he’d be home by early 2026.
But just a few days ago, on January 9, 2026, Trump shut it down. In a sit-down with The New York Times, the President confirmed he received the letter but basically said a pardon is off the table. He's not interested.
Life at FCI Fort Dix
So, what is he actually doing? He’s not living the "Bad Boy" lifestyle anymore. According to reports, he’s enrolled in a drug treatment program (RDAP) and has been assigned to work in the chapel library.
It’s a low-security facility, but it’s still prison. No cell phones. No private chefs. His hair, once a signature look, has reportedly gone almost entirely gray because hair dye isn't exactly on the commissary list. His son, Justin, visited him around Christmas 2025, but those visits are strictly regulated.
Has Diddy Been Released from Prison? The Timeline
If you're looking for a date to circle on your calendar, you’re going to be waiting a while.
- Current Status: Incarcerated at FCI Fort Dix.
- Official Release Date: June 4, 2028.
- Why the date changed: His original release was set for May 2028, but the Federal Bureau of Prisons pushed it back recently. There are whispers about "rule violations" inside, though his legal team keeps that stuff pretty quiet.
His lawyers, led by Teny Geragos, are still fighting. They’ve filed an appeal, claiming the 50-month sentence was too harsh since he was acquitted of the most violent charges. They’re arguing he’s being punished for the "lifestyle" rather than the specific crimes he was convicted of. Oral arguments for that appeal are tentatively set for April 2026.
What Happens Next?
Unless that appeal in April goes miraculously well for him, Diddy is staying put. The feds aren't exactly known for letting people out early on a whim, especially with the level of public scrutiny on this case.
If you see a headline today saying he's out, check the source. It’s likely bait. The reality is much more mundane: he’s a 56-year-old man in a New Jersey prison library, waiting for 2028.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Check the BOP Inmate Locator: If you want the truth, go to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website and search for Register Number 37452-054. That is the only source that matters.
- Watch the April Appeal: The next real chance for a change in his status is the appellate hearing this spring. That’s when we’ll know if the sentence has any chance of being reduced.
- Verify Viral "Pardon" News: Don't believe "X" (Twitter) screenshots. Official clemency actions are always published through the Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney.