Vybz Kartel spent about 13 years in jail before his release.

Quick Scoop: Timeline

  • He was first taken into custody in late September 2011 in connection with the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
  • He was convicted of murder in 2014 after a high‑profile trial in Jamaica.
  • He remained behind bars continuously from September 2011 until his release in late July / early August 2024, which adds up to roughly 13 years.

In other words, when people ask “how long was Vybz Kartel in jail,” they’re usually referring to that 2011–2024 stretch of custody, not the original life sentence he was expected to serve.

Latest news angle

  • His original sentence was life with a minimum of 35 years before parole, later adjusted to about 32.5 years.
  • In March 2024, the UK Privy Council overturned his conviction because of juror misconduct, opening the door to his eventual release.
  • By mid‑2024, Jamaican authorities confirmed there would be no retrial, and he was released after the roughly 13 years already served.

So from “locked up Worl’ Boss” to “free man again,” the key number you’re looking at is about 13 years behind bars.

TL;DR: Vybz Kartel was in jail for around 13 years, from September 2011 until his release in mid‑2024.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.