A former prosecutor from Long Island who was convicted on corruption charges is now offering consultancy services to white-collar criminals who are headed to federal prison. Christopher McPartland, who was once Suffolk County’s top corruption watchdog, has founded his own firm called McPartland Federal Prison Strategies to assist affluent convicts in navigating life behind bars.
McPartland, who spent 26 years as a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, highlights his experience prosecuting organized crime cases on his LinkedIn profile. Despite being convicted of obstruction of justice and serving a five-year sentence in federal prison, he now uses his firsthand knowledge of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to educate clients on various aspects of prison life, including healthcare, hygiene, safety, inmate interactions, and early release strategies.
Attorney Randy Zelin, who frequently enlists McPartland’s services to prepare his white-collar clients for prison, defends McPartland’s consultancy work as a valuable service for individuals facing incarceration. Zelin emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the challenges of prison life, which books alone cannot adequately address.
While McPartland’s firm does not publicly disclose its fees, Zelin describes the pricing as “very fair” compared to other consulting firms that charge exorbitant rates. McPartland’s firm offers personalized consultations to determine the cost based on the specific needs of each client.
McPartland’s descent from a top prosecutor to a convicted criminal stems from his involvement in covering up the brutal beating of a handcuffed inmate by former Suffolk County police chief James Burke. Alongside former Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota, McPartland was convicted in 2019 for pressuring witnesses, interfering with the investigation, and concealing Burke’s assault on the prisoner.
After serving two years of his five-year sentence, McPartland was released from federal prison and began working with another prison consulting firm before launching his own consultancy last year. Despite his criminal past, supporters like Zelin believe that McPartland deserves a second chance to prove his worth and contribute positively to society.
With the highest incarceration rate in the world, the issue of reintegration and rehabilitation of ex-convicts is a pressing concern. McPartland’s consultancy services aim to provide guidance and support to individuals facing prison time, offering them a chance to navigate the complexities of prison life and work towards a successful reentry into society.
While McPartland declined to comment for this article, his work as a prison consultant underscores the challenges and opportunities for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives after serving time behind bars.
