Where Is Suge Knight Now? Inside The 28-Year Sentence And His Life At RJ Donovan Prison

The question of "What prison is Suge Knight in?" continues to be one of the most searched queries in the hip-hop world, reflecting the enduring, complex legacy of the former music mogul. As of December 2025, Marion "Suge" Knight Jr. remains incarcerated, serving a 28-year sentence that has effectively ended the public career of one of the most powerful and controversial figures in music history. His current location is a high-security California state prison, a stark contrast to the opulence and power he once commanded as the CEO of Death Row Records.

This article provides the most current and verified details on Suge Knight’s incarceration, the specifics of his manslaughter conviction, and the latest news from his life behind bars, including his recent, highly topical public commentary on fellow music executive Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Marion "Suge" Knight Jr.: A Biographical Profile

The life of Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. is a dramatic narrative of meteoric rise and catastrophic fall. Born on April 19, 1965, in Compton, California, Knight’s early path was far removed from the music industry he would later dominate. He earned the nickname "Suge" from his childhood moniker, "Sugar Bear."

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• Full Name: Marion Hugh Knight Jr.
• Date of Birth: April 19, 1965
• Birthplace: Compton, Los Angeles, California
• Early Career: Attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and played as a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1987 NFL strike season.
• Music Career Peak: Co-founded Death Row Records in 1991 with Dr. Dre (Andre Young). The label became the definitive force in West Coast hip-hop, launching the careers of legends like Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, and Tha Dogg Pound.
• Affiliations: Known to be associated with the Mob Piru Bloods gang, an element that often factored into the label’s tough image and controversies.
• Current Status: Incarcerated, serving a 28-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter.

Knight's business practices were often characterized by intimidation and violence, a reputation that ultimately contributed to the label's downfall and his own legal troubles. His criminal history includes multiple arrests and stints in prison for parole violations, assault, and weapons charges, long before his final, career-ending conviction.

The Current Location and Sentence Details

The most pressing question for those following the story is his current whereabouts. As of today, Suge Knight is serving his time in a California state facility.

What Prison is Suge Knight In?

Suge Knight is currently incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD).

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Located in unincorporated southern San Diego County, California, RJD is a medium to maximum-security state prison. The facility holds a diverse population of inmates, and while it utilizes modern security technology, the prison has also faced scrutiny for its conditions, including infrastructure issues like power outages and being cited in some reports as one of the more dangerous prisons in the California system.

The 28-Year Sentence and the Terry Carter Case

Knight’s current 28-year sentence stems from a 2015 fatal hit-and-run incident in Compton, California.

The incident occurred in the parking lot of a Compton burger stand following an argument on the set of the film Straight Outta Compton. Knight drove his truck over two men: Cle "Bone" Sloan, a filmmaker and security consultant, who was severely injured, and 55-year-old businessman and Heavyweight Records co-founder Terry Carter, who was killed.

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Facing a potential life sentence for murder, Knight accepted a plea deal in September 2018, pleading no contest to one count of voluntary manslaughter. The 28-year sentence was calculated as follows:

• Voluntary Manslaughter: 11 years (the maximum sentence for the charge).
• "Three Strikes" Law Enhancement: An additional 11 years due to prior felony convictions.
• Prior Case Violation: 6 years for violating probation in a separate 2014 robbery case.
• Total Sentence: 28 years.

In addition to the criminal conviction, Knight reached a seven-figure civil settlement with the family of Terry Carter to avoid a wrongful death retrial, an agreement that further closed the legal chapter on the tragic incident.

The Future: Failed Appeals, Health Issues, and the Release Date

Despite his long sentence, Suge Knight has made efforts to challenge his conviction from behind the walls of the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. However, these attempts have been largely unsuccessful, cementing his fate for the foreseeable future.

The Status of His Appeals

In a recent legal development, Knight’s effort to overturn his 28-year sentence was denied by a Los Angeles County Judge, Laura F. Priver. The judge ruled that Knight had waited too long to file the request and that the appeal lacked sufficient merit to proceed. This denial effectively ends his immediate hope of an early release or a reduction in his sentence, forcing him to serve the full term of his plea agreement.

Parole Eligibility and Projected Release Date

Based on the 28-year sentence handed down in 2018, Suge Knight’s current parole eligibility date is October 2034. At that time, he will be 69 years old. This date is subject to change based on good behavior credits or any future successful legal challenges, but for now, it stands as the earliest point at which he could be released from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) custody.

Life Behind Bars and the Diddy Controversy

Life in prison for the former Death Row CEO has been marked by ongoing health issues, including blood clots, which his legal team has previously highlighted. However, his voice has recently re-entered the public sphere through his podcast, "Collect Call," which he records from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility with co-host Dave Mays.

In one of the most significant recent developments concerning his incarceration, Knight has used his platform to publicly comment on the legal troubles of his longtime rival, Sean "Diddy" Combs. In multiple interviews and podcast segments, Knight has offered pointed advice and criticism to Diddy, particularly in the wake of the allegations concerning the assault of Cassie and the federal raids on Combs’ properties. Knight has publicly stated that Diddy belongs in prison and has cautioned him about the dangers of incarceration, a commentary that has generated significant media attention and provided a fresh wave of topical authority to the hip-hop rivalry narrative.

In summary, Marion "Suge" Knight Jr. is currently serving his 28-year sentence at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California. His parole eligibility is set for October 2034, and his recent attempts to appeal the conviction have been denied. The hip-hop mogul's legacy continues to be written from behind bars, maintaining a controversial, yet relevant, presence through his public statements on the current state of the music industry and its key players.