title: Addressing excess risk of overdose among recently incarcerated people in the USA: harm reduction interventions in correctional settings.
abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss overdose among those with criminal justice experience and recommend harm reduction strategies to lessen overdose risk among this vulnerable population. Design/methodology/approach Strategies are needed to reduce overdose deaths among those with recent incarceration. Jails and prisons are at the epicenter of the opioid epidemic but are a largely untapped setting for implementing overdose education, risk assessment, medication assisted treatment, and naloxone distribution programs. Federal, state, and local plans commonly lack corrections as an ingredient in combating overdose. Harm reduction strategies are vital for reducing the risk of overdose in the post-release community. Findings Therefore, the authors recommend that the following be implemented in correctional settings: expansion of overdose education and naloxone programs; establishment of comprehensive medication assisted treatment programs as standard of care; development of corrections-specific overdose risk assessment tools; and increased collaboration between corrections entities and community-based organizations. Originality/value In this policy brief the authors provide recommendations for implementing harm reduction approaches in criminal justice settings. Adoption of these strategies could reduce the number of overdoses among those with recent criminal justice involvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.|Center for Health Equity Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brinkley-Rubinstein
authors.affiliation: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University , Atlanta, Georgia, USA.|Vera Institute of Justice , Substance Use and Mental Health Program, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Cloud
authors.affiliation: Vera Institute of Justice , Substance Use and Mental Health Program, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Health Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA.
authors.forename: Nickolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zaller
authors.affiliation: Vera Institute of Justice , Substance Use and Mental Health Program, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delany-Brumsey
authors.affiliation: Vera Institute of Justice , Substance Use and Mental Health Program, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.affiliation: Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bouvier
authors.affiliation: Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Josiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D057237:Criminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Criminal justice system; Drug addiction; Harm reduction; Illicit drugs; Opioid substitution therapy; Prisoners