PRISONERS
OF PROFIT
A former executive who worked
with Slattery for five years in
Florida said the company’s success
in the state reflected two areas of
expertise — relentless cost-cutting
and political gamesmanship.
“There was always the sense
that I was working for a businessman who didn’t understand the
system of juvenile justice,” said
the former executive, who spoke
on condition he not be named.
“My mandate was to cut positions,
cut programs, look for efficiencies — all the while making sure
that the state we were contracting
with remained happy. I always felt
like there was more priority at the
highest level given to managing
political relationships than running the core of the business.”
Over the years, YSI has brought
in seasoned former government
bureaucrats who are savvy about
the often arcane federal and state
processes through which private
companies secure contracts to run
public facilities.
The company’s executive vice
president, Woodrow Harper, is
a former deputy secretary of the
Florida Department of Juvenile
Justice – now the company’s primary source of revenue.
“It’s everything that’s wrong with
HUFFINGTON
11.03.13
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PRIVATE FIRMS
Political contributions in the state of Florida since
1998 from contractors who handled residential facilities
for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
$8,000
Universal
Health Services
$7,000
$418,110
Youth Services
International
Gulf Coast
Youth Services
$6,700
Eckerd Youth
Alternatives
$1,600
Twin Oaks Juvenile
Development
$1,000
Three
Springs
$28,110
G4S Youth
Services
$7,400
Vision
Quest
$6,850
Henry & Rilla
White Foundation
$2,000
Premier
Behavorial
Solutions
$1,155
Gateway
Community
Services
politics rolled up in a package,” said
Evan Jenne, a former Florida state
representative who toured one of
YSI’s youth facilities after local
public defenders raised concerns.
“You’re talking about society failing
children. It’s politically motivated,
and it’s money-motivated.”
Officials at the state Department of Juvenile Justice did not
respond to questions about YSI.
A department spokeswoman,
Meghan Speakes Collins, pointed