County jail in N.J. to stop housing Phila.'s inmates

PATERSON, N.J. - The Passaic County Jail is ending an arrangement with the Philadelphia Prison System to house inmates at its Paterson facility. The Passaic County Sheriff's Department, which oversees the jail, will not renew the deal when it expires May 31.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Bill Maer says the program raised about $3 million for Passaic County, with a per diem rate of $88 per prisoner. It was also meant to help alleviate overcrowding in Philadelphia jails, which officials say has improved.

There were 200 Philadelphia inmates in Paterson at the height of the program. The last inmate was transferred back to Pennsylvania two weeks ago after room was created when some Philadelphia inmates were sent to state facilities. - AP