Lamont McClure's plan for a performance audit of the success of treatment programs at the jail sailed through Northampton County Council at their Feb 20 meeting. Unanimously, council approved a resolution requesting Controller Steve Barron audit the treatment programs offered by Community Education Centers, Inc. Those programs, designed to reduce the number of offenders who return to jail for new offenses, will cost $5.5 million over the next five years.

"Where is the evidence this program is working?" asked McClure, who cast the sole vote against this contract last year. He conceded there is anecdotal evidence the program works, but noted that the actual recidivism rate at the jail has remained steady.

"We welcome the audit," said Corrections Director Arnie Matos, who added that a parallel study is being done by a local college.

Controller Barron told council he will render no opinion, and instead perform an audit addressing 12 points, including what is paid by other jails with similar programs and whether treatment graduates end up in jails somewhere else.

"I don't want this to be used as a warrant for anyone to go out on a witch hunt," cautioned Hayden Phillips.

Barron assured council that, contrary to concerns raised that he was doing the bidding of a political ally, he would be fair. "I come from treatment myself," he said, referring to his previous employment in group homes.