Embattled Dancehall/Reggae superstar, Mark Myrie, more popularly known as Buju Banton, feels relieved and encouraged following his switch to a Miami prison.

Buju Banton

The Grammy-winning Reggae artiste was moved from the Limestone County Correctional Facility in Groesbeck, Texas late last month where he served some of his ten year sentence for drug-related charges. The move, triggered through efforts put forth by the Jamaican Consulate and the judge in Buju’s trial, James Moody, resulted from public concerns over his safety at the Texas federal prison. Reportedly, the prison holds several Mexican gangs, formerly hosted short-term Mexicans in line for deportation and created unsafe conditions that made Buju feel uncomfortable. Additionally, the internationally-renowned singjay was one of few black inmates at the facility.

Now, Buju Banton calls the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Miami, Florida home. This marks the third federal prison Buju’s spent prison time in since his sentencing this past June.

According to Buju’s lawyer, David Oscar Markus, the prominent Dancehall/Reggae artiste expressed gratitude for the move; keeping his head high through this turbulent time.

“Buju has been moved to Miami. We are very thankful and appreciative. He is at FCI-Miami and I have been able to see him. He is in good spirits and is strong. He and I want to especially thank the Jamaican Consulate and Judge Moody for assisting us with this transfer,” Markus told the Jamaica Observer.

The FCI Miami is located in south-west Dade County, 30 miles from downtown Miami, where Buju performed the Before The Dawn concert a month before his conviction in February 2011.

FCI Miami hails as the third prison Buju Banton’s been housed in since this past February’s conviction. He also served a short sting in an Oklahoma facility.

Later this month, Markus will file an appeal on Buju’s behalf before a three-member panel of judges in an effort to reduce the artiste’s prison term.

Buju’s release date stands listed as February 1, 2019.