USA TODAY: Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat and longtime mental health advocate, told USA TODAY that he spoke with [former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.) while visiting him on Monday at a minimum security federal prison camp in Montgomery, Ala…
He sought treatment for bipolar disorder at the Mayo Clinic in 2012, while he was still serving in the House. His attorney, Reid Weingarten, had said at the time of sentencing that Jackson’s misconduct was connected to his mental health issues.
Kennedy said that Jackson was astounded by the prevalence of mental health issues among fellow inmates that he’s met while incarcerated. He said the former congressman wants to dedicate himself to helping ex-convicts deal with mental health issues and reintegrate into the general population once they are released… (more)
EDITOR: Jackson, Jr. was thought to be potential presidential material before his fall. Now he has the opportunity to serve hundreds of thousands as an advocate of mental health treatment in lieu of or during incarceration.
