RICHARD LEE / NEWSDAY
FROM A GLANCE AT HIS BACKGROUND, one might
assume that James F. Slattery would have a difficult
time convincing any state in America to entrust him
with the supervision of its lawbreaking youth. ¶ Over
the past quarter century, Slattery’s for-profit prison
enterprises have run afoul of the Justice Department
and authorities in New York, Florida, Maryland, Nevada
and Texas for alleged offenses ranging from condoning
abuse of inmates to plying politicians with undisclosed
gifts while seeking to secure state contracts.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
official Del Matthews (left)
with James Slattery at a
meeting with community
residents in March 1989.