In rural Maine, the Somerset County jail has implemented a pioneering approach to address the high risk of overdose among recently released prisoners with opioid addictions. Sheriff Dale P. Lancaster and Dr. Alane O’Connor introduced a program offering monthly injections of extended-release buprenorphine, known as Sublocade, to inmates before their release.
This initiative replaced the previous method of administering daily buprenorphine strips or pills, which often led to dosing challenges, potential misuse within the jail, and inconsistent treatment upon release. The long-acting injection provides about 28 days of craving suppression, giving former inmates a crucial buffer period to establish ongoing treatment and stabilize their lives upon release.
A recent analysis published in the journal Health and Justice revealed promising results. Compared to another rural Maine jail using daily medication, Somerset County’s program saw three times as many former inmates continuing treatment after release. Additionally, while four deaths occurred among released prisoners from the comparison jail, none were reported among those who received the Sublocade injections from Somerset.
Early data from the program shows that about two out of every three inmates who left jail made their first appointment with a counselor to start their recovery journey, compared to only two out of ten inmates who used daily medication. This significant improvement in follow-up care is attributed to the clarity and freedom from pain that the injection provides.
The program’s success extends beyond statistics. Former inmates like Jennifer Lynch have experienced significant improvements in their lives. Lynch, who had struggled with 11 years of opiate addiction, shared her experience: “I wouldn’t have been able to stay clean on the outside without it. I know that. I have the chance to be a mother again. I have the chance to find who I am again,” she said in an interview with News Center Maine.
Despite its potential, the program faces challenges, primarily due to the high cost of Sublocade injections, which range from $1,500 to $1,900 per shot. The jail currently relies on grants and opioid settlement funds to finance the initiative. Maine’s opioid response director, Gordon Smith, noted that the state has invested $1 million in this program so far due to the impressive results.
As word of the Somerset program spreads, other county jails are expressing interest in adopting similar approaches. Dr. O’Connor and her team have written a manual to help other jails replicate this program. This innovative method not only addresses the immediate health risks faced by former inmates but also challenges perceptions about the role of correctional facilities in addiction treatment.
The impact of this program extends beyond the individual, affecting families and communities. As Greg Ellis, a physician assistant at the jail, pointed out, “Our inmates, that is someone’s brother, husband, father, mother, aunt, uncle. This affects all of us,” he said in the News Center Maine report.
Read more about this in a story by Jan Hoffman in the New York Times from September 9, 2024: How a Maine County Jail Helped Prisoners Blunt Opioid Cravings (gift link, no subscription required)
Watch the news story from News Center Maine from February 19, 2024:
Learn more about treating opioid addiction in prisons and jails: