Assessing Need for Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opiate-Dependent Prison Inmates

ABSTRACT

Individuals with a history of heroin dependence are overrepresented in American correctional facilities and 75% of inmates with a drug use disorder do not receive treatment during incarceration or after release. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with opiate agonists, such as methadone or buprenorphine, constitutes standard of care; to guide planning for an expansion of drug treatment services in correctional facilities, a needs assessment was conducted at the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DCR) of Puerto Rico (PR). The authors report on the research process, the findings that informed their recommendations for the DCR to expand MAT for eligible inmates, and lessons learned.

KEYWORDS:

• Inmates
• prisons
• drug abuse treatment
• needs assessment
• medication assisted treatment

Acknowledgments

This study was financed through a contract from the Puerto Rico Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DCR) of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico where the Principal Investigator is a faculty member. The preparation of the research manuscript was supported by funds from NIDA grant R24 DA024868. The authors acknowledge the collaboration of the Secretary of the DCR at the time, Attorney Miguel Pereira Castillo, and of the many members of the agency staff that provided input and assistance. The authors are grateful to José J. Ruiz, who assisted with data presentation.