Prison Infection Costs BIG $$$$ Bucks

DOYLESTOWN, PA-June 13, 2005 — Bucks County has spent almost $1.2 million so far on legal fees stemming from a bacterial infection at the county jail.

That's according to information from the county controller's office.

The county has been accused of not doing enough to protect staff and inmates from the infection.

A federal jury earlier this year ordered the county to pay another $1.2 million in damages to two former inmates, but that verdict is being appealed. Several other lawsuits are still pending.

Tests were ordered by a federal judge in 2002 after inmates began developing hard-to-heal infections.

A health department official says 175 inmates have tested positive for the infection (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas, or MRSA).

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)