NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

COUNTY PRISON: The Director of Corrections reports that, as of Nov. 9, there are two cases of COVID-19 among inmates at Northampton County Prison (NCP). Since the start of the pandemic, 292 inmates have tested positive; 290 have finished their quarantine periods or are no longer at NCP. Currently, one Department of Correction staff is in quarantine after testing positive for the virus.

“The pandemic isn’t over yet,” says Lamont McClure. “I encourage everyone who can get vaccinated to do so and to get tested and quarantine if they begin showing symptoms.”

Since March 2020, NCP has conducted 5,524 tests for COVID-19 on inmates. All new inmates are tested when they come into the facility and must show a negative result before they are transferred to General Population; residents are tested on a random basis. PrimeCare Medical does daily temperature checks, movement of inmates is restricted within the facility and meals are served in the housing unit. In-person visitation is prohibited and no volunteers are permitted in the facility. Cloth masks are provided and inmates must wear them whenever they leave their cell. Any inmate participating in work release or work programs within NCP must be vaccinated.

NCP has held 24 vaccination clinics this year and vaccinated 442 inmates. Currently, 309 inmates in the facility are fully vaccinated. Shots for inmates and staff are administered by PrimeCare Medical. The vaccinations are not compulsory and are only provided to those who request them.

There are currently 621 inmates in residence at NCP.

Virus mitigation measures for employees at NCP include KN95 and surgical masks, daily temperature checks, hand sanitizer stations, increased cleaning/disinfection protocols, COVID-19 tests are available on demand, ionizer and electrostatic sprayers throughout the facility, social distancing and frequent hand washing are required.