‘Series of failures’ by prison staff before killing of gangster Whitey Bulger

FILE – This June 23, 2011, file booking photo provided by the U.S. Marshals Service shows James “Whitey” Bulger. The Justice Department’s inspector general has found a series of missteps by federal Bureau of Prisons officials preceded the October 2018 beating death of notorious Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger. The watchdog is recommending at least six Bureau of Prisons workers be disciplined. (U.S. Marshals Service via AP, File)

The killing of notorious gangster James “Whitey” Bulger by fellow inmates was the result of multiple layers of management failures, widespread incompetence and flawed policies at the Bureau of Prisons, the Justice Department’s inspector general has said in a report.

At least six bureau workers should be disciplined, the watchdog concluded after the multi-year investigation into how the 89-year-old was beaten to death in his cell hours after the FBI informant arrived at a troubled West Virginia prison.