Jail-to-Community Medication-Assisted Treatment: Perceptions of clients and staff

Abstract

This article presents the perceptions of clients and staff involved in a jail-to-community medication-assisted treatment (JTCMAT) program involving the administration of the extended-release injectable naltrexone drug, Vivitrol. The program was delivered in one rural county jail in the northeastern region of the United States. Through semi-structured interviews with inmates and key program staff, we gathered data regarding the criminal history, history of victimization, and mental health status of inmates enrolled in the JTCMAT program. We also investigated inmates’ and service providers’ perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the JTCMAT program itself. Findings suggest a general level of satisfaction among program clients and service providers, although some challenges following reentry were identified.

Keywords

• addiction
• correctional treatment
• mat
• re-entry
• naltrexone
• vivitrol