From Luxury to Lockup: Diddy reportedly using mackerel as currency in jail

Once known for his glamorous lifestyle and celebrity status, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is now facing a different reality behind bars.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Diddy is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, awaiting trial on serious human trafficking charges. His once-lavish way of living has been replaced with simple meals, strict routines, and unusual prison habits—including reportedly using packets of mackerel, or “macks,” as a form of currency.
Inside the jail, life is very structured. There’s no access to WiFi, meals are microwaved, and inmates sleep on bunk beds. Diddy, who was famous for his designer clothes, luxury homes, and private jets, is now said to be living on basic items like lasagna, Cheez-Its, and Snickers bars. Though his defense team expected he might be placed in a highly restricted area called the Special Housing Unit—where inmates spend most of their time confined to their cells—he was instead assigned to a more open section called 4 North.
Former inmate Gene Borrello, speaking to The New York Times as referenced by Daily Mail, explained that this area is more relaxed compared to others. Prisoners can move about, use shared amenities like televisions, a microwave, and even a small workout space. The unit reportedly houses around 20 men and operates more like a dormitory than a typical prison cellblock.
Although Diddy has had to adjust to this new lifestyle, prosecutors claim he’s still trying to hold on to his influence. He allegedly uses the conference or common room to meet with his legal team and review materials for his upcoming trial. While he’s allowed to use a laptop without internet access, officials say he has misused some privileges. Accusations have surfaced that he’s tried to contact potential witnesses, bought extra phone time from other inmates, and even reviewed social media content from inside the jail.
One example includes a claim that he was able to track a birthday video posted to Instagram by his seven children last November, despite restrictions. His legal team, however, denies that he is breaking any jail rules. They have stated that Diddy is simply preparing for his legal defense and have promised to fight the case strongly in court.
The rapper and entrepreneur, who has reportedly stopped dyeing his hair and now sports a gray beard and gray hair, continues to wait for his day in court while adjusting to life inside a facility that is a far cry from the world of red carpets and luxury mansions.