Jesse Jackson Jr. Screws Up Going To Prison [UPDATE]
By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 29, 2013 2:20PM
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Update: The Tribune reports Jackson is now behind bars. He was processed at the federal correction center in Butner, N.C. shortly before 10 a.m. Chicago time this morning.
Former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. was turned away Monday from a North Carolina prison after he tried to report there early to serve his 30-month sentence on corruption charges.
According to court documents Jackson was supposed to report to the federal correctional center in Butner, N.C. no earlier than Friday. Jackson released a statement to media Monday announcing he was instead ready to serve his sentence and where people could write him while in prison. He also revealed a visitor list that included family, several ministers including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Congressional Black Caucus leader Rep. Marsha Fudge (D-Ohio).
Jackson was accompanied by his attorney C.K. Hoffler and North Carolina congressman G.K. Butterfield, who said Jackson was in “good spirits.” Butterfield said Jackson was turned away because of a paperwork problem but Federal Bureau of Prison spokesman Ed Ross would only say that Jackson is not in BOP custody and his current whereabouts are unknown. Jackson’s father, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., also said he doesn’t know his son’s location. “I’m not being deceptive,” he told the Sun-Times.
Jackson was hoping to serve his prison term as soon as possible after a framework was finalized last week for paying the $750,000 fine levied against him as part of his sentencing. Jackson and wife Sandi will use proceeds from the sale of their Washington, D.C. home to pay off a considerable amount of the fine. The couple agreed to pay $200,000 by Nov. 1 with the balance due by June 1, 2014.
The Jacksons were concerned about their financial security but the settlement agreement allows Sandi Jackson to work to put the family on firm fiscal footing while her husband serves his term. Sandi Jackson was sentenced to 12 months in prison and will begin serving it once her husband’s term is complete.
If you wish to become Jackson’s pen pal you may write him at: Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.; Reg. No. 32451-016; FCI Butner Medium I Satellite Camp; P.O. Box 1000; Butner, N.C., 27509.