Implementing Medication Assisted Treatment in the Justice System

Primary Presenter(s)

• • 

    Kathleen Maurer, MD

    Director of Addiction Services
    Connecticut Department of Correction

    Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

Co-Presenter(s)

• CD

  Colleen Dobo, Psy.D.

  Senior Vice President
  Community Health Resources, Inc.

  Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
• LM

  Lynn Madden, PhD

  President/CEO
  APT Foundation, Inc.

  Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

Correctional systems have been slow to implement medication for addiction care in their populations, even though this treatment is evidence-based and has been shown to benefit inmate-patients, correctional system management, and society generally. This presentation describes the implementation of methadone treatment within the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC). Representatives of community OTPs as well as the Connecticut DOC will describe the development of the Connecticut DOC program including the challenges, successes and lessons learned during the past 6 years. CEO Jennifer Kolakowski from Recovery Network of Programs, an OTP in Bridgeport, will join the co-presenters in a post-presentation panel discussion.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the challenges inherent in establishing an opioid treatment program in a correctional facility and system, and recognize some of the key elements necessary to achieving successful outcomes in MAT treatment for inmate patients
• Appreciate the complexity of the culture and management differences that occur when community providers interact with safety and security personnel in matters pertaining to healthcare, and how to address them
• Understand the unique opportunities and challenges associated with providing MAT to inmate patients within the justice system and will be prepared to approach a criminal justice system in their area to discuss doing so, should they choose to