Wisconsin’s Incarcerated Population Has More Access to Opioid Treatment, But Still Missing in Eight County Jails
A report recently published by the Wisconsin Policy Forum found that most of the state’s county jails, as well as all of its state prisons, provided medication used to treat opioid use disorder. But the study, which was conducted via a survey that facilities responded to, also uncovered that at least eight jails in counties across Wisconsin did not make these medications available.
From 2016 to 2023, more than 9,000 Wisconsin residents died from an opioid overdose. While that rate has fallen dramatically in the state as well as across the country, the opioid epidemic remains a serious issue—particularly for people who overdose after being released from jail or prison. One reason for their heightened risk, the report noted, is that when incarcerated people with an opioid addiction are denied access to opioids behind bars, they often experience a decrease in tolerance. This, in turn, leaves them more likely to experience an overdose if they resume using opioids after release.
In addition, a lack of access to opioid use disorder medication at jails and prisons leaves incarcerated people more susceptible to withdrawal symptoms, which can be life-threatening. Research has shown that such medication decreases the likelihood of overdoses after release, lowers mortality risk from any cause, and reduces recidivism. These medications include buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone.
The eight Wisconsin jails that do not offer opioid use disorder treatment are located in “mostly small and rural counties.” But, according to the report, “Though these counties may face particular hurdles to taking this step, they also have potential tools to draw on, including opioid settlement funds and neighboring counties and health care providers that are already delivering this service.”
Source: Wisconsin Public Radio
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login