Full Breakdown
Disgraced Celebrities Spend Thanksgiving in Federal Custody
12/2/2025, 10:38:46 PM
Thanksgiving Celebrations Behind Bars
This Thanksgiving, several high-profile inmates, including Elizabeth Holmes, Sean Combs, and Ghislaine Maxwell, marked the holiday in federal prisons, engaging in family reunions and communal activities. At the low-security Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, spent the holiday with her husband, Billy Evans, and their two children. Holmes, who is serving an 11-year sentence for defrauding investors, has been regularly visited by her family since her incarceration in 2023, with her release scheduled for 2032. During the visit, the family enjoyed time together in the prison yard, where Holmes participated in a workout while her children played nearby.
Inmates at Bryan, including Ghislaine Maxwell and Jen Shah, also participated in the holiday festivities. Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for her involvement in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring, dined on a holiday meal that included turkey, mashed potatoes, and pies. This marked her fifth Thanksgiving in custody. Jen Shah, a former reality TV star serving a reduced sentence for wire fraud, joined the meal as well, having earned good-conduct credits that could lead to her release on December 10.
Community Spirit at Fort Dix
Meanwhile, Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, celebrated Thanksgiving at the Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix, where he is serving a 50-month sentence for violating the Mann Act. Combs collaborated with an inmate group called the "Bankroll Bosses" to enhance the holiday meal for approximately 1,000 fellow inmates. The group spent two days preparing meals using commissary-bought ingredients, as they were not allowed to use stoves or microwaves. Combs emphasized the importance of community during the holidays, stating, “Thanksgiving, to me, is about making sure other people eat.” His efforts included funding and cooking the meals, which supplemented the prison's standard offerings.
Observations Across Federal Prisons
Across the federal prison system, other notable inmates also observed Thanksgiving with similar meals. At the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Luigi Mangione, who is awaiting trial on murder charges, received a traditional turkey meal. Rapper Fetty Wap, serving six years for drug trafficking at FCI Sandstone in Minnesota, and Josh Duggar, imprisoned for child pornography possession at FCI Seagoville in Texas, also participated in the holiday meals. Jared Fogle, the former Subway spokesperson serving over 15 years for child sex tourism, marked the day with a comparable spread at FCI Englewood in Colorado.
Official Statements & Responses
Federal prisons nationwide strive to maintain holiday traditions, providing enhanced meals to inmates during Thanksgiving. These efforts aim to foster
