Medications for Opioid Use Disorder During Incarceration

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Criminal Justice Health
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Incarcerated populations exhibit disproportionately high rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose risk.
• Medications for OUD (MOUDs) show promise but are underutilized within correctional facilities.
• Post-release, reduced opioid tolerance combined with lack of treatment leads to high mortality and reincarceration rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify criminal justice system barriers to effective opioid use disorder treatment.
• To discuss structural interventions to overcome these treatment impediments.
• To review patient outcomes with MOUDs and provide recommendations for practice and research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of barriers to OUD treatment in the criminal justice system.
• Analysis of structural intervention strategies.
• Synthesis of patient outcomes data for MOUDs in this population.

Main Results:

• Significant barriers exist within the criminal justice system hindering MOUD access and utilization.
• Structural interventions are proposed to mitigate these systemic obstacles.
• MOUDs are associated with improved patient outcomes, reducing overdose and recidivism.

Conclusions:

• Addressing systemic barriers is crucial for expanding MOUD access to incarcerated individuals.
• Implementing structural interventions can improve treatment engagement and outcomes.
• Further research and education are needed to optimize MOUD use in correctional settings.