Medically Assisted Treatment in Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center

The Hamilton County, Tennessee, Office of Economic and Community Development, in partnership with The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, contracted medical provider Quality Correctional Health Care, and sub-recipient The McNabb Center will collaboratively implement a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. This initiative is focused on the expansion of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) access to inmates with substance use disorder (SUD) through on-site induction and the launch of a pilot MAT program for qualifying male participants in a dedicated therapeutic pod space, which is expected to serve approximately 270 incarcerated individuals. The project will also provide counseling and resources to improve the continuum of care for inmates during re-entry and establish a Strategic Advisory Committee, a Treatment Team, and a Data Team for the project. Additionally, this project will seek a research partner to implement a program evaluation that supports continuous learning and long-term impact assessment for participating individuals. Expected outcomes from these efforts include reductions in overdose deaths and recidivism, an improved criminal justice system response to incarcerated individuals with SUD, increased re-entry resources and opportunities, and the reduction of the impact of illicit opioids on the Hamilton County community.