Resources


A Primer for Implementation of Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution in Jails and Prisons

Publication

This primer was designed to promote and support implementation of OEND programs in jails and prisons to help prevent opioid-related overdose deaths.

The primer outlines strategies for developing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating jail and prison-based programs and builds on lessons learned from two National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded studies, "Preventing Overdose Mortality Among People Exiting Incarceration" and "Optimizing Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Delivery in the United States."  At the end of each section is a Resource List of planning resources.  The Appendix contains information about existing jail-based and prison-based OEND programs and examples of documents and forms that can be adapted to address program needs.

Best Practices for Pregnant Incarcerated Women With Opioid Use Disorder

Publication

This article recommends strategies to optimize the care of pregnant incarcerated women with OUD.

Pregnant women represent a unique population for correctional facilities to care for. The incarcerated pregnant population is at an increased risk of concurrent opioid use disorder (OUD) that requires specialized care. The evidence-based best practice and standard of care for pregnant women with OUD is medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone or buprenorphine pharmacotherapy. Correctional facilities that house women must be prepared to provide this care in a timely manner upon intake in order to address the serious medical needs of the pregnant woman and her fetus. Providing MAT in the incarceration setting has distinctive logistics that must be considered. This article recommends strategies to optimize the care of pregnant incarcerated women with OUD, emphasizing the importance of appropriate counseling and treatment with opioid agonist pharmacotherapy.

Building Bridges Between Jail and Community-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Data Collection, Performance, Outcomes

Webinar

This webinar presents suggested data elements from across the justice and health sectors that sites should consider collecting.

As the Building Bridges Between Jail and Community-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (Bridges) sites continue planning for implementation of multiple forms of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in their local jails and communities, it is important to identify data to collect that can inform implementation efforts, as well as measure performance and outcomes. This webinar presentation by BJA includes a discussion of the types of questions Bridges communities may want to answer about their projects as well as the performance measures that will be required for sites that may wish to pursue BJA funding, if available in the future. The discussion also includes identification of specific data elements from across the justice and health sectors that sites should consider collecting.

A PDF version of the slide deck from this webinar is also available.

 

Guidelines for Successful Transition of People with Mental or Substance Use Disorders from Jail and Prison: Implementation Guide

Publication

Provides behavioral health, correctional, and community stakeholders with implementation examples for transitioning people with mental or SUD from correctional settings into the community

It also highlights the prevalence of mental and substance use disorders in correctional settings.

Jail-Based Medication-Assisted Treatment: Promising Practices, Guidelines, and Resources for the Field

Publication

Lessons learned from the innovative use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and essential MAT program components are covered.

This resource, developed to support jail administrators in providing effective treatment for opioid misuse and helping to halt the opioid epidemic in the United States, introduces what has been learned from sheriffs’ and jail administrators’ innovative use of medication-assisted treatment, a cornerstone of best practice for recovery from substance misuse; describes the essential components of these programs; and discusses the latest research on how the programs are best implemented, as well as the medications approved for opioid use disorders.

Justice and Health Perspectives on Medication-Assisted Treatment in Jails

Video

This video shares experiences of two individuals who received medication-assisted treatment in jails.

The video was funded by California Health Care Foundation and was created by Health Management Associates and Freeman Media.

MAT for Opioid Use Disorder: Overcoming Objections

Publication

This paper highlights objections to medication-assisted treatment that are often raised in correctional justice settings and evidence-based responses.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses FDA-approved medicines such as buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and naltrexone (Vivitrol), often supplemented by behavioral treatment and social supports. Harm-reduction services are employed to keep patients safe until they are ready to seek treatment—services such as dispensing naloxone, an opioid antidote that prevents death from overdose, and providing clean syringes to prevent HIV and hepatitis C. A medication-first approach allows patients to be stabilized first on medication and then be brought to the appropriate level of care to fit their needs—thereby decreasing the risk of overdose and relapse. Despite data showing the success of MAT in treating drug addiction, objections are still common. Following are some frequent objections and evidence-based responses.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the Criminal Justice System: Brief Guidance to the States

Publication

Guidance is offered to state governments on increasing the availability of evidence-based medication-assisted treatment in criminal justiceĀ settings.

By including the criminal justice system as a path to treatment, states may see an increase in access to and retention in treatment, as well as lower rates of overdoses, re-offending, and re-incarcerations. In this brief, states are provided an overview of the issue, the challenges to incorporating MAT, key considerations for establishing MAT in criminal justice settings, and existing standards/guidelines.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Jails and Prisons: A Planning and Implementation Toolkit

Publication

Helps correctional administrators and health care providers to plan and implement medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs within jails and prisons

Correctional administrators and health care providers are on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic as justice-involved individuals are disproportionately at risk of having opioid use disorder (OUD) and dying from opioid overdose. Despite the high rates of OUD among incarcerated individuals, evidence-based treatment does exist and can be successfully implemented within jails and prisons. The most effective treatment for OUD is the use of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications (methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone), a treatment modality commonly known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Across the nation, a growing number of jails and prisons offer MAT for OUD resulting in positive outcomes for patients, staff and jurisdictions. Download this valuable planning and implementation toolkit.

Medication-assisted Treatment Inside Correctional Facilities: Addressing Medication Diversion

Publication

There are many steps jails and prisons can take to effectively minimize and control the diversion of drugs used in medication-assisted treatment.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies to treat alcohol and opioid use disorders.  When provided as part of the rehabilitation and reentry process for people incarcerated in correctional facilities, MAT addresses substance use as a criminogenic risk factor and may contribute to long-term recovery and reduced recidivism. As with any medication or treatment, there is risk of diversion; but, with the appropriate program elements in place, sheriffs, wardens, and jail administrators can provide this effective and evidence-based treatment to individuals during incarceration.  This action brief addresses strategies and techniques to decrease the diversion of drugs used in MAT.

NACo-NSA Joint Task Force Report: Addressing the Federal Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy

Publication

A joint task force was convened to identify and raise awareness about the negative impacts of the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy.

In early 2019, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) convened the task force to meet and to hold countless discussions with local criminal justice system stakeholders and county officials to facilitate the development of this report and subsequent recommendations. This report is aimed at criminal justice system stakeholders at all levels of government. It is divided into four sections: recommendations for government entities, an overview of pretrial detainees and jail health care, best practices in jail health care and strengthening the care continuum, and legal implications and recommendations. This report outlines methodologies to improve health outcomes for justice-involved individuals and ultimately break the cycle of recidivism that has burdened local jails and the county systems that support this population.

National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers

Online Resource

This site includes resources for and research about telehealth resource centers, showing the efficacy of telehealth in certain subspecialties.

Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs) have been established to provide assistance, education, and information to organizations and individuals who are actively providing or interested in providing health care at a distance. Our simple charter from the Office for Advancement of Telehealth is to assist in expanding the availability of health care to rural and underserved populations. And because we are federally funded, the assistance we provide is generally free of charge.

Opioid Addiction Screening and Assessment for People in the Criminal Justice System

Webinar

This webinar focuses on best practices for screening and assessment of people in the criminal justice system who have opioid addictions.

Dr. Roger Peters of the University of South Florida reviews available screening and assessment instruments, covers instrument selection, and discusses specific considerations for identifying and assessing people who have opioid addictions. Dr. Peters—along with Jac Charlier and Phillip Barbour of the Center for Health and Justice at Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities—also explains how supplemental screening and assessment questions about opioid use and drugs of choice may assist in the response to the opioid epidemic.

Orleans Parish Reentry Court: Persistence, Peers, and Possibilities

Publication

The Orleans Reentry Court Program (ORCP) facilitates life-changing opportunities for incoming inmates to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

ORCP emerged from a desire to equip inmates with vocational, educational, and other skills that could lead to gainful employment, thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism. Judge Laurie A. White and Judge Arthur Hunter of the Orleans Parish,Louisiana, Criminal District Court worked with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (DPS&C) to develop the program in 2010; by 2011, Louisiana passed legislation establishing reentry courts.

Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Among Jail Populations: Resources for Corrections Personnel

Publication

Free education on substance/opioid use disorders, withdrawal management in custody, MAT, and reentry services is available to corrections personnel.

This compilation of training resources includes videos, online learning, and print documents that were screened specifically for corrections officers and other corrections personnel seeking to promote the well-being and reentry of inmates with opioid use disorder or substance use disorders. Unless otherwise indicated, all resources listed are available free of charge electronically.

Telemedicine and Prescribing Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Publication

This document provides an example of a clinical practice engagement consistent with the DEA statement on MAT and telehealth.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed this case scenario to provide clinicians with an example of a clinical practice engagement consistent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) statement and applicable HHS-administered authorities.