“Like I Can’t Deal with Someone Overdosing Again”: Examining the Overdose Crisis in Correctional Settings

• In Event: Correctional Health Care in Crisis

Abstract

The ongoing overdose crisis in the United States, with over 106,000 fatalities in 2021, underscores the urgent need for interventions, particularly within correctional institutions such as prisons and jails. Individuals with prior involvement in the criminal justice system face a significantly higher risk of opioid overdose, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue in carceral settings (Chatterjee, 2018; Binswanger et al., 2013). Despite the severity of the problem, there is limited understanding of overdose prevention education for officers and residents in these facilities. This study examines data from a large Midwest urban jail, conducting work groups over 18 months with staff and residents to explore their perspectives on overdose education and experiences. Findings reveal a critical need for such education, with both staff and residents expressing concerns about the lack of training and the challenges of managing overdoses and withdrawal symptoms. The study underscores the imperative of implementing interventions in correctional settings to enhance overdose prevention efforts, emphasizing the potential for significant impact by equipping staff and residents with the necessary tools and knowledge to respond effectively to overdoses.

Authors

• Laura Lynn Lightfoot, Arizona State University

• Beth M. Huebner, Arizona State University

• Carrie Pettus, Wellbeing and Equity Innovations

• Faye Taxman, George Mason University

• Nancy McCarthy, Wellbeing and Equity Innovations

• Rebeccah L. Bennett, Emerging Wisdom LLC & InPower Institute