Reverend James P. McLaughlin received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice in 1974 from SUNY Farmingdale and went on to obtain his Bachelors Degree in Human Relations from St. Joseph's College in 1976. In 1991, he graduated with his Master's Degree in Criminal Science from Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus.

In 1995, Rev. McLaughlin graduated from the Pastoral Formation Institue from the Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre and entered into Seminary of the Immaculate Conception Diaconate Program and was Ordained on May 23, 1998.

In 1980, Rev. McLaughlin joined the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office as a Correction Officer, working his way through the ranks as a Commanding Officer in Personnel Investigations, Medical Evaluations, the Academy Bureau, and retired from the Sheriff's Office as a Lieutenant Investigator in 2006.

In 1991, Rev. McLaughlin started teaching criminal justice courses as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Suffolk Community College where he currently teaches. From 2006-2012, he served as the Assistant School Security Director for the Hampton Bays School District and from 2012-2013, he served as Director of Security for the Parrish Arts Museum.

In 2013, he joined the Diocese of Rockville Centre as the Director of Prison Ministries where he currently serves.​

Rev. McLaughlin is a member of the American Correction Association Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, and Epsilon Beta Chapter of Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus. He has also been the recipient of many awards including the 1998 Student Choice Professor of the Year, Correction Officer of the Year in 1998, and the Southampton Kiwanis Club Award.