Courts and Corrections Committee Meeting, April 16th, 2026.

The Northampton County Courts and Corrections Committee meeting held on April 16, 2026, focused extensively on the operations and challenges of the Juvenile Justice Center, including staffing shortages and the need to increase youth care worker salaries from $19.80 to approximately $23 per hour to maintain adequate staffing and maximize revenue from bed contracts with other counties. The committee discussed the center's capacity, current contracts with multiple counties, and the potential to expand services and increase revenue by filling empty beds. Additionally, updates were provided on treatment courts, including recovery, mental health, and veterans courts, highlighting their roles and successes. The Northampton County Jail director reported on staffing challenges, ongoing recruitment efforts, and a new workforce-focused re-entry program in partnership with local institutions. Several data requests were made regarding inmate mental health and opioid involvement. Overall, the meeting emphasized the importance of funding and staffing to improve juvenile and adult corrections services and discussed potential budget considerations for the upcoming fiscal year.