Mark ‘Buju Banton’ Myrie, the reggae icon, who became one after converting to Rastafari, will be in prison until February 2019 according to the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons website. There were rumours Buju would serve six years when time served and good behaviour were taken into account. However, one of the aspects of those rumours was addressed by the supposed confirmation, as examiner.com, explained that time served had already been included in the calculation of the release date. “[…]The Bureau’s official release date set for February 2019 includes the time the prominent reggae entertainer served in prison prior to and between his two trials within the last year,” the website reported. Examiner.com went on to interview David Rowe, a professor and highly regarded attorney-at-law, who explained that Buju Banton will also get credit for 16 per cent of “federal gain time,” meaning time that he serves while not violating federal rules behind bars. Should he violate the rules, Buju’s sentence may be extended. Buju was sent to prison after being convicted of three drug-related charges in February. The charges came as a result of a December 2009 incident in which he allegedly conspired to organise a drug deal within a police controlled warehouse. Examiner.com also reported that Buju’s lawyer, David Markus, was not planning to go away any time soon, and would be appealing the ruling. Buju has yet to officially begin serving his time. According to the prison bureau website, he is listed as in transit as he is expected to be sent to a federal prison in Mississippi.
