Best Practices for Successful Reentry for People Who Have Opioid Addictions

• NCJ Number: 252972
• Date Published: November 2018
• Length: 8 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2016-MU-BX-K011
• Agencies: BJA-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description; Instructional Material

Annotation

This paper describes the best practices that correctional, community-based behavioral health, and probation and parole agencies can implement to ensure that reentry for people who have opioid addictions is safe and effective.

Abstract

The best practices are presented under the following categories: planning and coordination; behavioral health treatment and cognitive behavioral interventions; probation and parole supervision; and recovery support services, housing, and other support services in the community. Under planning and coordination, five best practices are briefly described. including screening and assessing for opioid addiction when planning for reentry and establishing a process for determining whether people who have recently used opioids need withdrawal management or detoxification. Three best practices are described for behavioral health treatment and cognitive intervention. They include ensuring treatment that is medication-assisted and provides counseling, both in the correctional facility and upon reentry. For probation and parole supervision, one best practice is described. It is to train probation and parole officers in how to work with people who have opioid addictions; and when possible, create specialized caseloads for those persons who have co-occurring substance addictions and mental illnesses. For recovery support services, housing, and other supports in the community, the one best practice described is the provision of recovery support services immediately upon release. Such support services involve a range of programs and resources that include helping people access systems of care and remain engaged in their treatment and recovery process. Such services may include supported employment, education, and housing.