During the April 23 meeting of Northampton County's Courts and Corrections Committee, prison officials acknowledged that they are entering into discussions with West Easton to expand the types of offenders housed at its West Easton treatment and work release facility. Currently, the only inmates permitted there are DUI and nonsupport offenders.

Corrections Superintendent Arnie Matos told Council that it costs $93.40 per day to house an inmate at the main jail. At West Easton, it's a little higher, costing $96.15. That price would drop to $69.13, however, if the treatment center was at its 100-person maximum.

As of April 23, there were 678 inmates at the main jail and 72 offenders at West Easton.

"We would be very careful about who we would send down there," Matos told Council member Hayden Phillips, in response to concerns that the wrong kind of person could interfere with rehabilitation.