Improve Reentry After Incarceration

Introductory Paragraph

This objective focuses specifically on improving the transition back into society for people with an SUD who have spent time incarcerated.  People who are returning to society are at a high risk to overdose and die because their tolerance to opioids is lower and taking the amount of opioids they have previously taken can lead to overdose and death. There are many steps that should be taken to help people move foreward with successful recovery rather than returning to using opioids and the higher chance of overdose.

• More than 50 percent of graduates of many prison treatment programs relapse within 12 months.
• Upon release from jail or prison, many people with mental or substance use disorders continue to lack access to services and, too often, become enmeshed in a cycle of costly justice system involvement
• An estimated 10-15 percent of the total state and federal prison population, approximately 200,000 people, are estimated to currently or historically have struggled with opioid dependence or abuse.
• A study in Massachusetts showed that people with an OUD who were released from prison were up to 120 times more likely to die than ??? (Get details. Healthcare for the Homeless presentation)

Key Information

Economic Benefits of People Remaining Substance-Free and Crime-Free after Re-entry

A CASA Columbia report focused on 1996 to 2006 and "found that only 11% of all inmates with addiction received any treatment during their incarceration. The report found that if all inmates who needed treatment and aftercare received such services, the nation would break even in a year if just over 10% remained substance-free, crime-free and employed. Thereafter, for each former inmate who remained substance-free, crime-free and employed, the nation would reap an economic benefit of $90,953 per year."

Relevant Research

In this section, please capture any recent findings, reports, or data on the topic. Please also highlight any gaps or existing disparities. Please include references and links to the information so that we may add a footnote for the reader to find further information. Do we have any available research about discriminatory practices? Is there information about the value of access to educational opportunities?

Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies

Please list any federal, state, or local laws, policies, or regulations that support this topic or ones that could be a possible barrier. Are there laws or policies other states should know about and replicate for success?

Available Tools and Resources

Oftentimes, there are already great resources in the field that have been developed, but they are not housed in a single place. Please use this section to share information about those resources and drive the reader to that resource. It may be a worksheet, toolkit, fact sheet, framework/model, infographic, new technology, etc. I suggest no more than 5 really good links and a corresponding description for the reader. We also can use this section to highlight some of the great resources and programs at SAFE Project.

Promising Practices

Rhode Island Program to divert Individuals with Substance Use Disorders from Incarceration and into Treatment Federal grant will help divert people dealing with addiction to treatment rather than jail.