Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in U.S. Jails and Prisons: Status Update

Incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) face disproportionate rates of overdose and other drug-related deaths, upon entering jail, during incarceration, and upon re-entry. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is a proven and critical public health approach to preventing overdose death for people with OUD who are incarcerated. Until recently, only a small percentage of U.S. jails provided MOUD. However, a new study highlights more detailed information about MOUD availability in jails.

This Quick Take outlines the legal and policy efforts that have led to an increase in availability and stresses the importance of continued advocacy efforts to further expand MOUD availability in jails and prisons and in the community.

Read the Quick Take.