Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke’s US Prison Term Cut, More Reductions Possible
Jamaican drug kingpin Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke has had 17 months deducted from his prison sentence in the United States and may see additional reductions, likely as a reward for good behavior, according to American authorities.
Coke, 56, has served half of his 23-year sentence and is now scheduled for release from Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution on January 25, 2029, as confirmed by the US Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP). His original release date was July 4, 2030.
Fort Dix, a low-security prison in New Jersey, is noted for its lack of bars, towers, or locks, as per its official website.
The reduction in Coke’s sentence raises questions about the status of the Shower Posse, the Jamaica-based criminal network he allegedly led, which also had operations in the US, Canada, and the UK. The FBOP has refrained from disclosing details about Coke, citing privacy regulations that prevent discussion of inmate conditions or release plans.
However, the agency confirmed that under the First Step Act (FSA), enacted in 2018, all incarcerated individuals can earn time off for good behavior, which is factored into their release dates. Before the FSA, qualifying inmates could earn up to 54 days of good conduct time (GCT) per year served. Amendments to the legislation now allow eligible inmates to receive the full 54-day reduction for each year of their court-mandated sentence.
“The FBOP continues to prorate the amount of GCT earned for the final year of service of the sentence,” the agency explained in response to inquiries from The Sunday Gleaner on February 18.
Good conduct time is awarded based on an evaluation of the inmate’s adherence to institutional rules, as specified in US Penal Code 18, Subsection 3624 (b).
Additionally, the FSA allows eligible inmates to earn time credits by successfully completing approved evidence-based recidivism reduction (EBRR) programs or engaging in productive activities (PAs). The FBOP stated that participation in these programs must align with the inmate’s individualized risk and needs assessment.
Inmates may also receive credit for time spent in custody before sentencing, the FBOP added.
US law enforcement attributes over 1,600 murders to the Shower Posse, which was co-founded by Coke’s father, Lester Lloyd Coke, also known as ‘Jim Brown.’ Jim Brown died in a suspicious fire inside a Jamaican prison on February 23, 1992, while awaiting extradition to the US for murder and drug trafficking charges.
Jamaican police spokeswoman Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay did not respond to inquiries from The Sunday Gleaner about whether intelligence suggests that the Shower Posse remains one of Jamaica’s estimated 250 active gangs.
“I will check with C-TOC and get back to you,” she said, referring to the Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Division.
Authorities are also uncertain about Coke’s influence over the Next Generation Gang, which operates from his home base in Tivoli Gardens and has been expanding in power, according to high-ranking police officials.
“My experience in the west only speaks to the influence of the Tivoli Next Generation gang, which remains active,” one official stated, adding that several members of the Coke family are involved.
“I cannot confirm whether he still has any control over them or if there is a connection,” the official said.
Christopher Coke waived his right to a hearing in Jamaica and was extradited to the US in 2010 on drug and racketeering charges. He pleaded guilty in August 2011.
His arrest in June 2010 followed a prolonged standoff between Jamaican security forces and heavily armed supporters in Tivoli Gardens. The confrontation, triggered by the government’s delay in approving his extradition, led to fierce gun battles. Coke managed to escape his stronghold before being captured weeks later.
By the time the violence subsided, 69 civilians and one member of the Jamaica Defence Force had been killed, marking one of the most tumultuous periods in Jamaica’s modern history.
