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Correctional-Based Research

People who are incarcerated—both in Canada and globally—experience disproportionately high rates of substance use, including opioid use disorder (OUD). This population faces an elevated risk of relapse, overdose, and mortality, particularly during the transition from incarceration to the community. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is the gold-standard treatment for OUD and has been associated with numerous positive outcomes, including reduced illicit opioid use, lower overdose and mortality rates, decreased recidivism and re-incarceration, and improved engagement with healthcare and addiction treatment services. Despite these benefits and the increasing availability of OAT in correctional settings, research on OAT engagement—including barriers and facilitators to access during and after incarceration—remains limited.


The Ontario CRISM Node Team (OCRINT) is actively engaged in research to better understand OAT access, effectiveness, and the experiences of individuals receiving treatment before, during, and after incarceration. As part of our Implementation Science Program, OCRINT coordinated four correctional projects. Additionally, OCRINT continues to lead additional research in this area through the following projects:

 

Longitudinal Study on OAT Among Federally Incarcerated Individuals


OCRINT conducted a multi-phase longitudinal study examining OAT experiences among federally incarcerated individuals in Ontario. This study explored treatment continuity, barriers to care, and key outcomes related to opioid use and community reintegration. Data collection took place between January 2019 and March 2020 in federal correctional institutions and confidential community field settings. Participants completed a brief quantitative survey (integrated with select administrative correctional data) and an in-depth qualitative interview.


Baseline and follow-up reports submitted to Correctional Service Canada 


Examining Experiences of Federal Offenders on Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) During Release from Incarceration in Ontario, Canada: A Post-Release Report


Examining Experiences of Federal Offenders on Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) During Incarceration in Ontario, Canada: A Pre-Release Report


Academic publications


Publication

Barriers and facilitators to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) engagement among individuals released from federal incarceration into the community in Ontario, Canada. Russell, C., Pang, M., Nafeh, F., Farrell Macdonald, S., Derkzen, D., Rehm, J., & Fischer, B. (2022).


Publication

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) experiences and release plans among federally incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Ontario, Canada: a mixed-methods study. Russell, C., Nafeh, F., Pang, M., MacDonald, S. F., Derkzen, D., Rehm, J., & Fischer, B.


PublicationApplying the socio-ecological model to understand community reintegration experiences among individuals on opioid agonist treatment (OAT) released from federal incarceration in Ontario, Canada. Russell, C., Pang, M., Nafeh, F., MacDonald, S. F., Derkzen, D., Rehm, J., & Fischer, B.



Systematic Review on Extended-Release Buprenorphine (Sublocade) in Corrections

OCRINT led a systematic review evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of extended-release buprenorphine (Sublocade) among correctional populations. This review synthesizes existing research on treatment retention, opioid use outcomes, and implementation challenges to inform future policies and best practices.


View the press release HERE


 Academic publications

Publication

Feasibility and effectiveness of extended-release buprenorphine (XR-BUP) among correctional populations: a systematic review. Russell, C., George, T. P., Chopra, N., Le Foll, B., Matheson, F. I., Rehm, J., Lange, S.



Community-Based Study on Post-Release Experiences with Sublocade


OCRINT is conducting an ongoing community-based study examining the experiences of individuals recently released from incarceration who have received Sublocade. This qualitative study explores the benefits, challenges, and overall acceptability of extended-release buprenorphine during the critical transition from custody to community.


Through these projects, OCRINT aims to inform evidence-based policy and practice, ensuring that opioid agonist treatments are accessible, effective, and tailored to meet the needs of individuals involved in the correctional system.


Data collection is currently underway and results will be posted here


 

Retrospective Cohort Study: Examining how Correctional Populations in Ontario use Healthcare Services

OCRINT collaborated with researchers at ICES and St. Michael’s Hospital’s MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions on a retrospective cohort study examining how correctional populations in Ontario use healthcare services both overall, and specifically for substance use-related issues using population-level administrative health data. 

View the press release HERE

Academic Publications 

Publication

Overall and substance use-specific healthcare utilization among individuals with and without criminal justice involvement in Ontario, Canada

 Russell, C., Yakubovich, A., O'Campo, P., Qu, K., Pluptre, L., Kouyoumdjian, F., Matheson, F. I.


Knowledge Translation (KT) Products


Correctional Populations in Ontario Have Twenty Times the Rate of Substance-Use Related Healthcare Visits