Northampton County Prison

From 1950 to 1955 over $100,000.00 was earned for the county by the carpet department alone. The carpentry shop made stretchers for the County Civil Defense Unit during World War II. They also made and repaired furniture and cabinets for the prison offices. A library was also provided that housed over 1200 books for use by the prison population. Generous citizens and local libraries donated these books. The next major addition did not occur until 1993 when the county invested $7.5 million to have 225 beds added to the facility. That addition included two new modified podular/direct supervision housing units in the main facility and the new reconstruction of a free standing Community Corrections Center. Currently, the county is planning a $22.8 million addition that will increase the facility’s capacity by slightly over 250 beds. This addition will be designed in the podular/direct supervision style of architecture that has been proven to be an effective inmate management tool since its introduction in the late 1970’s. In 2004 County Council approved a $22.8 million expansion to the prison. After several delays, the prison was completed in June, 2006. The facility consists of three towers which will house 243 beds for a total capacity of 819. The new housing units are modeled after the direct supervision modality of inmate behavioral management.