Background: Problematic drug use and overdose and associated harms have been identified as significant health risks for prisoners shortly after release from custody. In Queensland, opioid treatment is available in the women’s correctional centres under close supervision, and within strict guidelines. Prisoners who have been commenced on an opioid treatment program in the community are able to have the program continued in the correctional centre. However, those prisoners who have ceased their community program, for whatever reason, and are then incarcerated are unable to recommence in the correctional setting.
Objective: In order to address some of the post-release drug and health issues experienced, the current pilot trial provides low dose buprenorphine treatment to female prisoners, just prior to release (pre release program), and referral to a Queensland Opioid Treatment Program clinic for post-release treatment and support.
Methods: Using statewide data, measures of successful treatment are utilised, including post-release retention in opioid treatment, and subsequent use of pharmaceutical opiates. Data for post-release prisoners will be compared with other patients who have not been incarcerated, and patients who entered prison already in opioid treatment.
Results: It is anticipated that preliminary data from this trial will demonstrate that participants in this trial will have improved outcomes in terms of access to, and retention in treatment when compared with patients without such support.
Conclusions: Providing support and treatment for prisoners is a key area of unmet need in health and harm reduction. Through exploration of intervention in prisoner health, health policy and outcomes, justice and ethical implications will be considered.