Yes — Tory Lanez is still in prison. Searches for “is Tory Lanez still in prison” are trending after the rapper released a surprise double album, MADE YOU THINK I WAS GONE, on July 17, 2026 — a title that left many fans wondering whether he had quietly been released. He has not. As of today, Tory Lanez remains incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony near San Luis Obispo, California, serving a 10-year state prison sentence. Last updated: July 22, 2026.
Who Is Tory Lanez?
Tory Lanez, born Daystar Peterson in 1992, is a Canadian rapper and singer who broke through in the mid-2010s with mixtapes and hits like “Say It” and “Luv”. Before his conviction he was one of hip-hop’s most prolific artists, releasing multiple projects a year and building a large, loyal fanbase — one reason his name still surges in search every time new music appears under his name.
Why Is Tory Lanez in Prison?
In December 2022, a Los Angeles jury convicted Lanez of three felonies for shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the feet after a party in the Hollywood Hills in July 2020: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. In August 2023 he was sentenced to 10 years in California state prison. He was first processed through a state reception center before being transferred to the California Men’s Colony, a state prison near San Luis Obispo.
Why Is Everyone Asking About Him Right Now?
The current spike in searches has a simple explanation: on July 17, 2026, Lanez released a surprise double album titled MADE YOU THINK I WAS GONE — 23 tracks split into a rap disc (“Fargo’s Revenge”) and an R&B disc (“Fargo’s Heartbreak”), with no guest features. Days earlier, leaked tracks had been confirmed as authentic, building anticipation. Because the album arrived while he is incarcerated — and because of its title — many listeners assumed he must have been freed. He remains in custody; the project was assembled and released while he serves his sentence.
Life Behind Bars: Stabbing, Lawsuit and Appeals
Lanez’s time in prison has been eventful and, at times, violent. In May 2025 he was stabbed multiple times by a fellow inmate at the California Men’s Colony and hospitalized with serious injuries, including collapsed lungs. In April 2026 he filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation over the attack — we cover that case in detail in our article on the Tory Lanez $100 million prison lawsuit. In late May 2026 he was also granted a temporary restraining order against a correctional officer his lawyers said had threatened him.
His appeals have so far failed. A three-judge California appeals panel upheld his conviction in November 2025, and the California Supreme Court declined to review the case in early 2026. His legal team has said it is pursuing further relief based on evidence they allege was not turned over at trial, and he has publicly sought a pardon from California’s governor.
How the US Prison System Applies to His Case
Lanez was convicted under state law, so he is held in a state prison run by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) — not a federal facility. State prisoners in California typically enter through a reception center, such as North Kern State Prison, where they are assessed and assigned a security level before moving to a long-term facility. California inmates can shorten their sentences through good-conduct and rehabilitative-program credits, and most become eligible for a parole hearing before serving their full term. Parole is not automatic: a board weighs behavior in custody, programming, and risk to the public. For more on how state prisons, sentencing and parole work across the country, explore the guides at US Prison Guide.
When Could Tory Lanez Be Released?
Reports based on CDCR records indicate Lanez becomes eligible for parole consideration around November 2029, with a maximum release date in 2033 if he serves the full 10-year term. Good-conduct credits, programming credits, a successful appeal, or executive clemency could all move that date earlier — but unless one of those happens, he is expected to remain in custody into the early 2030s.
FAQ
Is Tory Lanez still in prison in 2026?
Yes. As of July 22, 2026, Tory Lanez is incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony near San Luis Obispo, California, serving a 10-year sentence.
How is Tory Lanez releasing music from prison?
The double album MADE YOU THINK I WAS GONE was released on July 17, 2026, while he remains in custody. Artists’ teams commonly assemble albums from previously recorded vocals and material compiled before or during incarceration.
What was Tory Lanez convicted of?
Three felonies from the July 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
When is Tory Lanez’s release date?
His maximum term runs to 2033, with parole eligibility reported around November 2029. Credits earned in custody or a successful legal challenge could shorten that.
Was Tory Lanez really stabbed in prison?
Yes. In May 2025 he was attacked by a fellow inmate and hospitalized with serious injuries. He has since sued the CDCR for $100 million over the incident.