The CHR DOC programs provide lifesaving treatment to incarcerated individuals within the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) who have significant histories of substance use disorders, mainly opioid use disorder.
The programs aim to improve individuals’ overall quality of life inside and outside the carceral setting, reduce recidivism and decrease drug overdose deaths during and following incarceration.
What have been the organization’s significant contributions in the past year?
Over the past year, our team has continued providing high-quality, evidence-based care to nearly 700 individuals across seven Connecticut correctional facilities. We provide comprehensive medication-assisted treatment, patient-ce ntered counseling and coordinated re-entry services 365 days a year.
Our re-entry coordination achieves over a 90% success rate in connecting individuals to community treatment following release — one of the highest-risk periods for overdose. Through dedication, compassion, clinical excellence and strong collaboration with the DOC, we have expanded access to lifesaving care, reduced barriers to recovery and helped individuals return to their communities healthier and better prepared to continue treatment.
What are some major challenges the organization had to overcome?
We continue to overcome limited therapeutic space and patient access, safety and security requirements and deeply rooted stigma within the carceral system. We address these multifaceted challenges through collaboration with DOC, ongoing education and training, strong continuous quality improvement measures and expectations rooted in self-awareness, self-assessment and self-compassion.
What’s the organization’s next major goal and/or challenge?
We hope to expand these lifesaving services across all Connecticut DOC facilities, beginning at the time of booking so individuals are not forced to experience withdrawal. We also hope to expand treatment options, including Sublocade and Subutex, in addition to methadone and buprenorphine, to improve long-term treatment engagement.
