Bucks County moving forward with mental health court, forensic diversion center

Bucks County officials are targeting the much anticipated start of their mental health court before the end of the year, but a critical component of it could be operating as soon as this summer.

Commissioners Chairwoman Diane Ellis-Marseglia confirmed a plan is being developed to open a new forensic diversion and treatment center that would provide services to individuals referred by the courts.

Bucks is the only county in the Philadelphia region that does not have a mental health court, which helps people with persistent uncontrolled serious mental illness avoid the criminal justice system, which is not equipped to handle their complex needs. 

The proposed diversion center, which could open as early as June, is part of the critical community infrastructure that needs to be in place to support a mental health court, said Donna Duffy Bell, administrator for Bucks County Mental Health and Developmental Programs.

The county is still in the planning process with the center — which would be among the referral options for mental health court participants. No concrete details including a location or operator were available. 

But the planned center would ideally include short-term placement until resources and treatment can be coordinated and longer-term options that provide safe and secure transition to the community, Duffy-Bell said. 

Ellis-Marseglia projects with the mental health court and diversion center, the county could see an 85% drop in jail admissions for defendants in need of mental health services.

More:Mental health court would benefit Bucks County, mentally ill defendants, report says

Mental health experts argue incarceration can exacerbate symptoms of serious mental illness, disrupt treatment regimens, and contribute to victimization and suicide. 

Nicholas Emeigh, director of outreach and development at the National Alliance on Mental Illness Bucks County, believes the county plans are a positive step toward recognizing the complex nature of mental illness that require specialized intervention. 

“We know that people with mental illness shouldn’t receive treatment in any kind of detention center or jail,”  Emeigh said. “Someone’s best chances of recovery can’t happen in jail, behind bars with a spit hood on.” 

In recent years, Bucks County has faced criticism over how it treats people with mental illness in its jail. 

County mental health officials also report increasing difficulty finding short-term psychiatric facilities that accept involuntary mental health commitments for individuals with complex or violent behaviors.

Bucks County is among the defendants names in a wrongful death suit filed by the family of a Bensalem man who completed suicide in his jail cell in 2018. He had a recent history of suicide attempts, but was not on suicide watch, which triggers closer monitoring.

In a separate case, a Lower Makefield couple contends the county failed to seek available residential treatment options for their adult daughter, who has serious mental illness allowing her mental health to deteriorate further while in the Doylestown jail.   

Kim Stringer, 28, was subjected to pepper spray at least twice and placed in a restraint chair while on suicide watch during the nine weeks she was incarcerated last year. Her parents only learned about her situation after the mother of another inmate contacted them.

Stringer’s treatment prompted an investigation by the district attorney’s office, who found corrections staff followed protocol. County officials blamed the delay in transferring Stringer to Norristown State Psychiatric Hospital in Montgomery County on COVID-19-related restrictions.  

Martha Stringer called the creation of a mental health court and diversion center a “huge step in a positive direction” for individuals like her daughter, who had been off her court-ordered psychotropic medication for months before she was arrested last April.  

Kim Stringer was recently moved into a step-down unit at Norristown State, where she has been a patient since June 19, her mom said. She is one of 22 Bucks County inmates at Norristown currently, according to the county.

Martha Stringer is curious about what types of support services are being discussed and whether Assisted Outpatient Treatment is one of them. The involuntary outpatient treatment has been available since 2019 in Pennsylvania, but currently no counties have implemented it, though federal funding is available.

“The whole point of mental health court, as I understand it, is to redirect individuals to treatment in the community,” Stringer said. “Without those treatment programs in place, I don’t know they’re going to get the care and accountability they need.” 

More:Social workers join Bensalem police to respond to mental health, social services calls

Mental health court participation is voluntary and generally excludes individuals accused of violent crimes such as murder or rape, or felony drug crimes. Defendants typically must enter a plea to certain agreed upon charges. Defendants who complete the program may have charges reduced or dismissed. 

Participants are required to follow conditions required by the Adult Probation and Parole Department and those of an individualized treatment plan designed to coordinate mental health treatment and services under the supervision of the criminal court. 

Research suggests mental health diversion programs benefit the criminal justice system by moving cases faster through the judicial system. It also individuals a pathway for treatment and recovery and reduces recidivism.

More:Bristol Township family rallies against jail as a treatment for mental illness