The effect of a jail methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) program on inmate recidivism.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a jail-based continuation of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) on subsequent inmate recidivism risks.


METHODS
Prospective, longitudinal, observational study.


METHODS
A large, Southwestern United States jail that continues MMT for heroin-addicted inmates on MMT at the time of booking.


METHODS
A total of 589 inmates booked between 22 November 2005 (the start date for the MMT program) and 31 October 2006.


METHODS
The outcome measure was time from release to subsequent re-booking in the jail. Predictors included binary dosing with methadone in the jail, final dose received (mg), age, gender, race/ethnicity, previous bookings and days in jail.


CONCLUSIONS
Random effects Weibull proportional hazards models were fit to the recidivism times to estimate the impact of treatment with MMT in the jail on re-booking risks. There was no statistically significant effect of receiving methadone in the jail or dosage on subsequent recidivism risks (hazard ratio = 1.16; 95% confidence interval = 0.8-1.68). Offering jail-based MMT does not increase recidivism risks by eliminating the deterrent effect of imposed withdrawal, nor does it reduce recidivism in this high-risk population.
McMillan
Garnett P
GP
Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest, Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA. gmcmillan@bhrcs.org <gmcmillan@bhrcs.org>
Lapham
Sandra
S
Lackey
Michael
M
D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone