Larney, S., Gisev, N., Farrell, M., Dobbins, T., Burns, L., Gibson, A., Kimber, J., & Degenhardt, L. (2014). Opioid substitution therapy as a strategy to reduce deaths in prison: retrospective cohort study. BMJ open, 4(4), e004666. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen- 2013-004666 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24694626/ 

This retrospective cohort study looked at mortality rates of individuals who were incarcerated between 2000 and 2012 to see if participation in an OST program had an effect on mortality rates. OST participation was found to lower risk of mortality in prison by 74% and there was an 87% decrease in unnatural death risk for those who participated in OST. The highest mortality rates were seen during the first 4 weeks of incarceration, therefore, it is important that OST is begun as soon as possible. 

Bottom Line: Participation in OST dramatically decreased mortality risk in prison: 74% in general and 87% in unnatural death.