Diddy to Be Released From Prison in May 2028

Federal prison authorities have confirmed that Sean "Diddy" Combs, the influential music and fashion executive, is scheduled for release on May 8, 2028. This follows his sentencing on October 3rd to a 50-month prison term after a jury convicted him on two counts related to transporting an individual for prostitution. While the July verdict cleared him of the more severe racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges—which could have resulted in decades behind bars—the conviction still carries significant consequences.

The projected release date factors in the time Combs has already served at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a facility that holds both pre-trial and convicted individuals from the New York area. Additionally, his sentence was reduced through good behavior credits under the bipartisan First Step Act of 2018. This landmark legislation, passed to address prison overcrowding and encourage rehabilitation, allows eligible federal inmates to earn time credits beyond the standard 85% of their sentence by participating in programs and maintaining clear conduct records.

Despite his conviction, Combs is actively seeking a presidential pardon. His legal team and former President Donald Trump have acknowledged the clemency request is under consideration, though Trump has not publicly commented on the matter. In parallel, Combs’ attorneys have filed an appeal against the October sentencing. However, legal analysts remain doubtful about its success. As one former federal prosecutor, who was not involved in the case, observed, “Given the strength of the evidence presented, especially the surveillance footage, and the judge’s careful oversight, an appeal faces very steep odds.”

The trial, which commenced in early May, featured testimony from 34 witnesses who accused the Bad Boy Records founder of offenses including drug distribution, physical assault, and sexual misconduct. Bad Boy Records, launched by Combs in 1993, became a powerhouse in 90s hip-hop, launching the career of iconic artists like The Notorious B.I.G. A pivotal piece of evidence was a 2016 surveillance video that captured Combs assaulting his then-partner, singer Cassie Ventura. Ventura, who served as the prosecution’s primary witness, spent four days on the stand detailing years of alleged abuse she endured.

During the sentencing hearing, all six of Combs’ adult children made emotional appeals to the court, asking for leniency. Judge Arun Subramanian ultimately imposed a sentence of four years and two months, a middle ground between the prosecution’s request for 11 years and the defense’s plea for just over one year. The judge urged Combs to use his influence constructively, advising, “The same power you used to hurt women, you can use to help them,” and encouraged him to devote his future to supporting survivors of domestic violence. In a post-sentencing statement, Combs’ lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, indicated that his client intends to “make something special out of his life,” though a return to the music industry is not currently planned.