Corrections Officers Cleared For Treatment Of Woman, Mental Health Court Considered

Following reporting on the treatment of a woman with mental health issues at the Bucks County Correctional Facility, the district attorney found that corrections officers followed the rules and the Bucks County Commissioners chairperson said the idea of creating a special court for people with mental health issues is being explored.

Outrage occurred after inmate Kimberly Stringer’s condition came to the light in mid-June. Stories on the situation were published by public media outlet WITF and shared on LevittownNow.com.

WITF Transforming Health journalist Brett Sholtis, who had previously reported on the Stringer family, broke the news after tips from three inmates indicated that Stringer was naked in custody with a soiled blanket and a smock. She was using the floor as her bathroom, was dirty and not showered, had injured herself, not had possessions or even a mattress during a period of time, and was pepper sprayed by corrections officers.

Over the years, Stringer, of Falls Township, had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Her family worked for years to get her into treatment.

After the reporting, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation into Stringer’s treatment while in the county system.

At the Bucks County Prison Oversight Board meeting last Wednesday afternoon, District Attorney Matt Weintraub released the outcome of the probe.

“The guards did not act criminally,” he said.

With that said, Weintraub stated policies for similar situations should be examined and more funding could be dedicated to deal with patients with severe mental illness. He said the “reality” in a general sense is that the county prison would need a massive investment in staff to properly handle inmates with severe mental illness, but staff there presently do the best they can.

According to court papers, Stringer, who has had numerous police contacts over the years, was placed in prison unable to post bail in April after being arrested by Falls Township police on charges of simple assault, terroristic threats, and harassment.

During her stay at the prison, she cut herself, banged her head, and stuck objects into outlets. Throughout the time, her “condition deteriorated” and fellow inmates backed up that claim, Weintraub said.

On May 11 and May 20, Stringer was hit with pepper spray by correction officers.

Weintraub said the incidents were recorded on video and were “very difficult to watch.”

While disturbing, the district attorney said the correction officers followed the correctional department policy that is printed in a manual.

Stringer was examined after the incidents and found not to be injured.

In communications with Stringer’s parents and statements to the public, county officials, including Bucks County Commissioner Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia, said Stringer was not accepted at facilities to handle her mental health issues due to coronavirus worries.

Following the public outcry, Bucks County officials were able to get Stringer moved to the Norristown State Hospital in Montgomery County for treatment. The long-term psychiatric facility takes patients from around the region.

Ellis-Marseglia said the case has been difficult and pointed to the issue of mentally ill inmates not being a top priority under previous administrations. She said she has been advocating for more resources for years.

“You can’t keep saying it’s not a problem … you have my commitment that we are going to do something about this,” she said.

Weintraub said other counties have tackled the challenge. He pointed to Montgomery County, which operates a facility to treat those with severe mental illness. Bucks County’s top prosecutor acknowledged there is a cost to the additional services, but said the county prison is not capable of handling those cases without more resources.

Ellis-Marseglia and Weintraub said the problem is larger than Bucks County and has to do with local and state facilities deciding to not accept inmates with certain serious mental illnesses and insurance.

The county administration, district attorney, and Bucks County President Judge Wallace Bateman will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the creation of a special mental health court to help those with severe mental illness have access to treatment and divert them from the traditional criminal justice system.

Data from the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania shows that 20 counties have mental health courts. Bucks County is the only one in Philadelphia region not to have one.

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