Brinkley-Rubinstein, L., McKenzie, M., Macmadu, A., Larney, S., Zaller, N., Dauria, E., & Rich, J. (2018). A randomized, open label trial of methadone continuation versus forced withdrawal in a combined US prison and jail: Findings at 12 months post-release. Drug and alcohol dependence, 184, 57–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.11.023 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29402680/ 

This article presents the results of a randomized control trial (RCT) that studies long-term impacts of providing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for incarcerated individuals post-release. The results found that 12 months post-release individuals who received continued access to MMT while incarcerated were less likely to report using heroin and engaging in injection drug use in the past 30 days. In addition, they reported fewer non-fatal overdoses and were more likely to be continuously engaged in treatment in the 12-month follow-up period compared to individuals who were not receiving methadone immediately prior to release. This article is a good resource for anyone wishing to learn more about the impacts of improving MOUD treatment access for incarcerated individuals within the system and post-release. 

Bottom Line: Individuals who received methadone treatment during incarceration were more likely to engage in treatment in the community and less likely to report heroin and injection drug use within 30 days, as well as non-fatal overdoses after 12-months.