Get It in Writing: How to Make Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Available During Incarceration

Authors

Margaret J. McGladrey, University of KentuckyFollow
Jordan Kelsch, University of Kentucky
Michelle R. Lofwall, University of KentuckyFollow
Laura C. Fanucchi, University of KentuckyFollow
Sharon L. Walsh, University of KentuckyFollow
Carrie B. Oser, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

In a case example from the Kentucky HEALing Communities Study, extensive resources were deployed to address structural barriers and facilitate the provision of medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) in an urban county jail. However, implementation was unsuccessful, and this case example emphasizes the importance of including evidence-based medication for OUD (MOUD) treatment in the scope of work of jails’ contracted medical providers. The privatization of correctional health care services allows local governments with opioid abatement funds to incorporate requirements into medical provider contracts to screen all people entering jails for OUD and to offer MOUD at intake, throughout incarceration, and upon release to everyone for whom it is clinically indicated. We provide sample contractual language that can be added to requests for medical provider proposals to help drive the private correctional health care market toward integrating MOUD treatment into their standard of care. This approach also could expedite efforts to scale up broad MOUD access across U.S. jails through sharing of workflows and best practices among the small group of national correctional health care companies contracted with jails in states with broad mandates, such as Massachusetts. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04111939.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

Notes/Citation Information

© The Author(s) 2024

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1089/jchc.23.08.0065

Funding Information

This research was supported by NIH and SAMHSA through the NIH HEAL Initiative under award number UM1DA049406.

Repository Citation

McGladrey, Margaret J.; Kelsch, Jordan; Lofwall, Michelle R.; Fanucchi, Laura C.; Walsh, Sharon L.; and Oser, Carrie B., "Get It in Writing: How to Make Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Available During Incarceration" (2024). Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications. 13.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cdar_facpub/13