The benefits and implementation challenges of the first state-wide comprehensive medication for addictions program in a unified jail and prison setting
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
12-1-2019
Abstract
The prevalence of opioid use disorders among people who are incarcerated is high. People who are released from incarceration are at increased risk for overdose. The current study details the first year of implementation of a state-wide medications for addiction treatment (MAT) program in a unified jail and prison setting at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections in Cranston, Rhode Island. We conducted 40 semi-structured, qualitative interviews with people who were incarcerated and concurrently enrolled in the MAT program. Analysis employed a general, inductive approach in NVivo 12. We found that a majority of participants discussed program benefits such as reduced withdrawal symptoms, decreased prevalence of illicit drug use in the facility, improved general environment at the RIDOC, and increased post-release intentions to continue MAT. Suggested areas of improvement include reducing delays to first dose, increasing access to other recovery services in combination with MAT, improving staff training on stigma, and earlier access to medical discharge planning information prior to release. Our findings suggest that correctional MAT programs are acceptable to targeted populations and are a feasible intervention that may be transferable to other states.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume
205
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Brinkley-Rubinstein, Lauren, Meghan Peterson, Jennifer Clarke, Alexandra Macmadu, Ashley Truong, Kimberly Pognon, Morgan Parker, Brandon Marshall, Traci Green, Rosemarie Martin, Lynda Stein, and Josiah D. Rich. "The benefits and implementation challenges of the first state-wide comprehensive medication for addictions program in a unified jail and prison setting." Drug and Alcohol Dependence 205, (2019). doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.06.016.