Darreonna Davis Former Contributor
TOPLINE
#R&B singer #R.Kelly has been wrongly placed on #suicidewatch at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, his #lawyer Jennifer Bonjean said Friday, and he is being “irreparably harmed” because of it, she claimed, after the 55-year-old was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday for racketeering and sex trafficking.
KEY FACTS
According to Bonjean, the prison psychology department told her, “he is on psych alert for various reasons, such as age, crime, publicity and sentencing.”
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, its psychology services staff perform psychological intake “only on inmates who are suspected of being suicidal or appear psychologically unstable (e.g., #mentalillness or significant #substanceabuse withdrawal), or who request services via the Psychology Services Inmate Questionnaire.”
Bonjean said Kelly is not suicidal.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons told Forbes it does not share the “conditions of confinement or internal security practices for any particular inmate.”
Kelly was previously placed on #suicidewatch after he was convicted last September.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“He’s being irreparably harmed as we speak… .It’s not as if they’re doing this for his psychological benefit, and by placing him under these extremely harsh conditions…it is actually cruel and unusual punishment,” Bonjean said.
TANGENT
#GhislaineMaxwell, the socialite who was sentenced to 20 years on June 28 for sex trafficking her ex-boyfriend, financier #JeffreyEpstein’s, victims, was also placed on #suicidewatch at MDC after she said she didn’t feel safe among the Brooklyn jail’s staff.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Bonjean told Forbes she is filing an order to show cause for placing him under #suicidewatch.
FURTHER READING
#R.Kelly Sentenced To 30 Years For Sex Trafficking And Racketeering (Forbes)
#R&B Singer #R.Kelly Found Guilty Of Sex Trafficking, Racketeering (Forbes)
#R.Kelly placed on #suicidewatch after being sentenced to 30 years in prison, his #lawyer says (CNN)
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
