Kwame Kilpatrick seeks release from prison while recovering from knee surgery

Former Detroit mayor says federal prison not offering effective therapy sessions, necessary ice for recovery

DETROIT – Former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is still trying to get out of prison before his sentencing for federal corruption convictions.

Kilpatrick recently underwent knee surgery which, according to his filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals, has required 90-minute therapy sessions two times a week while he works to rehabilitate the knee. Kilpatrick says the therapy sessions in prison are not working out.

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Read: Kilpatrick makes 3rd request for release

According to his complaint, the sessions often are cut short because of scheduling problems and he has not been provided with the ice he needs to recover after the sessions.

View: Kilpatrick's latest appeal

That's why he's asking the Court of Appeals to reverse a District Court judge's decision to keep him behind bars until his sentencing. Kilpatrick says he needs access to proper medical care and better outpatient physical therapy that he has not received while in federal prison.

On March 11, a federal jury found Kilpatrick and close friend Bobby Ferguson guilty on multiple counts including racketeering and conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors have been fighting the requests for bond ever since. Judge Edmunds has held firm on her decision to deny it.