Diddy in Manhattan court as inmates laud jailhouse class ahead of sentencing

Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeared Thursday in a Manhattan federal court for a 90-minute hearing ahead of sentencing next Friday on two Mann Act counts. He was acquitted of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges in July and faces up to 10 years in prison on the Mann Act counts.

Court filings disclosed that fellow inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center praised a six-week jailhouse course he allegedly taught, titled 'Free Game With Diddy.' Inmates Douglas Welch and Arturo Santiago wrote letters praising the class, saying it gave them a purpose and something to look forward to. The class outline included motivational topics like 'Never be embarrassed – no ego,' 'Time waits for no man,' and 'Trust the process.' A 'bonus class' was listed with the idea 'can't stop, won't stop.'

A unit manager at Brooklyn's MDC also praised the program, writing 'Excellent class. Keep up the great work!!' in the court filings. The notes suggest the possibility that the praise could reflect favors such as commissary purchases, noting that Combs had 'developed friendships' with inmates and would help others with their commissary purchases when able.

Combs—often seen in the courtroom wearing sweaters during trial—was not granted permission to wear his own clothes at Thursday's hearing, and the judge did not sign off in time. He is expected to wear his own clothes at the sentencing.

Prosecutors are expected to seek more than five years in prison, though Combs has asked for time served. He waved to family in the courtroom and said, 'Every hour, every day, is me getting closer to coming home.' The case has drawn attention in the entertainment world as the embattled Bad Boy Records founder faces sanctions following the Mann Act convictions.