Following incarceration, many individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) enter back into the environment where their substance use originated. Unfortunately, this puts the individual at high risk for relapse. Further, their tolerance for opioids has been reduced while incarcerated, putting an individual at increased risk for overdose. This guide highlights how criminal justice professionals can use medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to treat individuals with OUD in jails and prisons and during the reentry process.

This guide covers the following topics related MAT implementation within the criminal justice system:

  • An overview of the use of MAT in criminal justice settings
    • The prevalence of people with OUD in the criminal justice system
    • The medications used in MAT
    • The costs and availability of MAT in correctional settings
    • Programs which implement MAT into the criminal justice system
  • Research on the effectiveness of MAT in criminal justice settings
    • The evidence that exists to support implementation of MAT in criminal justice settings
    • The outcomes from individuals who participate in MAT
    • The data behind the different medications used in MAT
  • Examples of MAT programs in criminal justice settings
    • Descriptions of programs that use MAT in criminal justice settings
  • The challenges to implementing evidence-based practices and programs in criminal justice settings
    • Practical information to consider when selecting and implementing programs and practices to address use of MAT in criminal justice settings
  • Resources to support effective use of MAT in criminal justice settings
    • Guidance and resources for implementing evidence-based programs and practices, monitoring outcomes, and improving quality

This publication was first shared in 2019.

Citation

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in criminal justice settings (HHS Publication No. PEP19-MATUSECJS). Rockville, MD: National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

(External Link, Publication, PDF, 5.48 MB)