Jesse Jackson Jr. completes prison sentence

WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., completed his prison sentence on Friday, setting the stage for his wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th), to report to prison in 30 days.

Jackson, 50, has been finishing up his sentence on home confinement at his DuPont Circle residence here. When he arrived at home last June, he told the Sun-Times he was working on his memoir.

Jackson’s movements under home confinement were closely monitored and he wore a GPS device around his ankle.

Jackson’s official release date was this Sunday. Bureau of Prisons spokesman Ed Ross said when a release date falls on a weekend, the inmate is let go the Friday before.

Jackson on Friday reported to the Baltimore half way house, where he had served part of his sentence and had the GPS removed.

The Jacksons pleaded guilty in 2013 to looting $750,000 from campaign funds that they used for lavish and mundane personal expenses. Jackson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit false statements and mail and wire fraud.

Sandi Jackson pleaded guilty to filing a false federal income tax return and was sentenced to one year in prison.

Their sentences were staggered so one parent would remain home to care for their son and daughter. Sandi Jackson has not yet been assigned to a prison.

The Illinois Democrat, who represented the 2nd Congressional District, was sentenced originally to 30 months. His time actually served was cut most likely because of good behavior and completion of a substance-abuse program.

In all Jackson will have served 23 months. Jackson entered a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina, on Oct. 29, 2013. He was transferred to a minimum security section of a prison complex in Montgomery, Alabama on April 4, 2014. He was transferred to the Baltimore halfway house on March 26.