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Jackson tried to report to prison early, turned away, now in custody

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Illinois

Convicted former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. entered Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina just before 10 a.m. Chicago time today, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

“He is in our custody, as of about a minute ago,” bureau spokesman Chris Burke said.

Jackson had tried to report to the prison near Durham on Monday, four days earlier than a judge had ordered, but he was turned away. Burke did not know what transpired to let Jackson enter custody today.

A judgment signed by the sentencing judge in August had indicated that the former congressman shall surrender “no earlier than Nov. 1, 2013.” That is Friday. […]

The former warden at Butner, Art Beeler, told the Tribune earlier today that when a person shows up at a prison before his report date, the institution has no legal authority to hold him in custody unless the judge’s order is amended.

* The prison staff should be familiar with Illinois politicians from that part of the state…

Jackson is not the first former Chicago congressman to serve time at Butner. His Second Congressional District predecessor, Mel Reynolds, also served time there for bank and campaign fraud.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:28 am

Comments

Dude, if you try to check in before check-in time they may not have your room ready…..

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:31 am
That guy could screw up a one-car funeral.

Comment by ChicagoR Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:32 am
Who shows up early for prison?

What do you think he and Jon Burge will talk about when they see each other?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:33 am
=== Dude, if you try to check in before check-in time they may not have your room ready….. ===

LOL

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:35 am
=== What do you think he and Jon Burge will talk about when they see each other? ===

I was thinking the same thing. I bet him and Bernie Madoff become fast friends.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:36 am
Anyone else find it strange that he released the names (to the media) of expected visitors?

The list included lots of sitting congressmen.
Makes me think that JJJ is plotting a political comeback.

Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:38 am
Even upon entering prison, Jackson thinks he is entitled. Maybe that is his problem. He thinks there are two types of people in the world: regular schmoes and “special” people. He clearly thinks he is in the latter category.

Comment by Nosmo King Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:38 am
WGN reported they spoke with his wife and she thought he was in South Carolina saying good bye to family and was notified by his attorney last night he was entering prison. He didn’t say good bye to his wife and kids?

Comment by Because I said so... Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:41 am
Perhaps he was trying to avoid the cameras and reporters by showing up early?

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:42 am
I always find these stories strange. Guys like Blago and Jackson could have led very cushy, comfortable lives without being so reckless.

And for what? A bunch of expensive junk, in Jackson’s case.

He was daring the federales to go after him. And they did. He made it easy, and they like that.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:43 am
I think I heard they vacated the house they had in D.C. and it is up for sale. Maybe he did not want to spend the money to fly back to Chicago or pay to stay in a hotel. Money might be running out.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:44 am
The Feds took his rolex, duh! The man doesn’t know what time it is. Give him a break.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:47 am
“Perhaps he was trying to avoid the cameras and reporters by showing up early? ”

That makes sense to me. Generally when something doesn’t make sense you have to “follow the money”. Here I see no money, just the potential to avoid more embarrassment.

Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:51 am
Does anyone have a link to JJJ’s mugshot picture?

I tried to search Google Images for it, but only got pictures of Jesse Jackson Sr’s booking pictures.

The Chicago Tribune (which is mug shot happy) doesn’t have it either.

I want to hang it in my garage next to the one of Blago.

Comment by Mike Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 10:52 am
I feel bad for his kids.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:07 am
A sure bet he’ll be president of the Elks Club.

Comment by Tommydanger Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:45 am
It’s a safe bet that he wanted to evade pictures of himself turning himself in, so he showed up early. The visitors list is not private. Remember who exactly he is a guest of; the Federal Government. If you amend the judgment too early, the press gets a sniff of what’s happening. It’s got to be almost simultaneous. He’s paying his debt to society now. Time to just let him do it.

Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:02 pm
In a side note, I wonder if Blago is writing his book? He certainly has scores to settle, and the statute of limitations should be expired, or will be soon, on anything he pulled in office.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:04 pm
Just think that when he gets out Al Sharpton could be the bid dog in Chicago and his dad Jesse Sr. could on the outside.

If you real sorry for anyone think of those folks he represented. First there was Gus Savage, then Mel Reynolds, then Jesse Jr.?

Comment by Rollo Tomasi Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 5:06 pm