Over Lamont McClure's claims that it's unnecessary, Northampton County Council has approved a $5.5 million program designed to prevent inmates from returning to jail. At its Dec. 12 meeting, by a 5-1 vote, council approved a five-year contract with Community Education Centers to provide substance abuse programs called the Future Foundation program for men, Sister to Sister program for women and the West Easton Treatment Facility program.

"It's a lotta' money," complained McClure, who said prison policy should be decided by the next administration. "I've seen no evidence that is justified," he added. He argued that education, not treatment, is what reduces recidivism, noting that one-third of inmates have no high school diploma. Corrections Director Arnie Matos countered that he has seen jails with and without treatment programs.

"This way works," he insisted.

"You're wrong," answered McClure.

Council member Tom Dietrich worried that that they were setting prison policy for the next administration.

"You can cancel this with three months notice. What are you talking about?" answered Stoffa.

Matos told council of one suicidal female inmate who went through the Community Education Center program and claimed it saved her life and gave her a reason to live.

"How do I put a price on that?" he asked.

Unmoved, McClure said the treatment could be done by volunteers at no cost to the county. But he was a minority of one. The contract was approved by John Cusick, Tom Dietrich, Peg Ferraro, Scott Parsons and Bob Werner. Barb Thierry, Bruce Gilbert and Ken Kraft were absent.

In their final act of business of the year, council appropriated $5,000 grants from their contingency fund for the following:

Stephen's Place, a halfway house for non-violent males recovering from addiction;

Slate Belt YMCA, which is under construction;

The Miracle League, which allows differently abled children to experience the joy of baseball;

Pa. Water Rescue, which performs rescue operations along the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers; and

College Hill Neighborhood Association, for improvements to Nevin and Eddyside Parks.