Trainings and Resources

Jails and prisons are critical intervention points in addressing the nation’s overdose crisis. Many systems, including correctional facilities, are beginning to recognize that access to evidence-based treatment and medication for substance use disorder saves lives and must form a fundamental component of any effective program. This Virtual Event Series will highlight best practices, challenges and opportunities in implementing medication-based treatment in correctional facilities over four sessions.

These presentations highlighted the efforts of two MAT Expansion grantees to collaborate with partners, including local community corrections entities.

Over the past 20 years, drug overdose deaths have increased dramatically in the United States. Most of these deaths involved opioids, including prescription pain medications, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. These are called opioid-related overdoses and often occur as a result of respiratory depression caused by opioids, even when other medications and drugs are involved.

Almost two-thirds of people currently incarcerated in the U.S. have a substance use disorder. Many struggle with opioid addiction. Opioids include prescription pain relievers, heroin, and powerful synthetic versions such as fentanyl that are driving record numbers of overdose deaths. Men in a rural jail who received medication to treat opioid use disorder had a reduced likelihood of being arrested or returning to jail or prison after release. The results need to be replicated in larger, more diverse populations, but they suggest the promise of drug treatment in helping to reduce reincarceration.

Almost two-thirds of people currently incarcerated in the U.S. have a substance use disorder. Many struggle with opioid addiction. Opioids include prescription pain relievers, heroin, and powerful synthetic versions such as fentanyl that are driving record numbers of overdose deaths. Medications used to treat opioid use disorder—also called MOUD—can reduce cravings and symptoms of withdrawal. MOUD include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. However, few jails and prisons offer these evidence-based treatments. The study tested whether medications to treat opioid use disorder can reduce recidivism

Justice-involved populations are disproportionately affected by the opioid and overdose crisis. In fact, people who have been incarcerated are roughly 129 times more likely to experience a fatal overdose in the first two weeks after their release compared to the general public due to reduced tolerance during incarceration.1 Despite the fact that evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is the standard of care in the community, and has been proven to reduce risk of overdose and mortality, it remains widely unavailable in most correctional facilities. However, that is slowly changing. Correctional staff, medical professionals, incarcerated individuals and politicians are beginning to advocate for MOUD. JPOP aims to address the need for accessible information about medication-based treatment for opioid use disorder in the criminal legal system. We encourage you to engage with the resources and tools and links on this website to help to improve treatment for opioid use disorder in your community

Presenters explained the role of RH in the continuum of care in this exciting and interactive presentation on emerging topics related to integrating social and medical models of recovery. They focused on emerging issues in rural America resulting from the pandemic, its impact on the rates of substance use disorder (SUD), and use of RH. Presenters emphasized funding for the development of RH, the role of partnerships within the recovery ecosystem, and promising practices involving cross-sector collaboration in housing, corrections, treatment, and recovery supports. Milena Stott, LICSW, SUDP, The Fletcher Group Erica Walker, CSW, TCADC, The Fletcher Group

Rural Community Opioid Response Program (RCORP) grantees discussed their efforts and initiatives working with criminal justice and corrections agencies to engage individuals who are incarcerated.

Grantee/Partner Video Showcase

The telehealth implementation support tool is intended to be completed in around 20 minutes by a jail administrator, who may need input from other stakeholders. This evidence-based tool involves a self-administered questionnaire coupled with tip sheets on topics related to telehealth readiness, implementation and continuous improvement that stakeholders working with criminal justice partners can use when implementing telehealth for the first time or when expanding their implementation.