U. organizations work toward assisting New Jersey Department of Corrections with early release program

The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) recently collaborated with the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) and the Rutgers University Correctional Health Care (UCHC) to implement an early release program for inmates.

Mary-Catherine Bohan, vice president of Outpatient and Ambulatory Services at UBHC, said the program was created during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic when individuals in state prisons who were nearing the end of their sentence received Public Health Emergency Credits.

As a result, large numbers of individuals were released from prison earlier than anticipated.

The first group of incarcerated individuals who benefitted from the early release program were released on Nov. 3, 2020. The most recent cohort was released on March 13, she said.

Bohan said UCHC and UBHC worked together to prepare for this large release of individuals diagnosed with opioid and other substance use disorders. 

“The UBHC peer navigators, individuals who have lived experience of incarceration, substance, opioid use disorders or both, were onsite at each NJDOC facility on the day of release to provide support to the released cohort, along with welcome packets that included information about community resources and 24-hour phone lines, Narcan, Fentanyl strips, hygiene supplies and snacks,” she said.

UCHC is directly responsible for the oversight and distribution of dental, medical, behavioral and addiction treatments, which played a fundamental part in coordinating efforts in preparation of these releases, she said.

Bohan also said the Rutgers Intensive Recovery Treatment Support program (IRTS) program employs peer health navigators to assist and provide support to individuals recovering from substance use disorders, as individuals typically require follow-up health appointments regarding their substance use. 

The services are designed to provide links to treatment, recovery-focused assessments and comprehensive, consistent support, she said. On the day of the early release, peer navigators arranged Rutgers tables at the major transportation hubs to provide necessary services, captivate individuals and provide messages of hope and recovery, Bohan said. 

“NJDOC sponsored pre-release orientation sessions where information about IRTS and other community resources were provided,” Bohan said. 

She also said that there was a requirement that the individuals who were being released had to schedule and attend follow-up appointments. These appointments were made in order to check in on their mental health as well as their substance use care to ensure the recovery status was on the planned path, she said. 

Bohan said that due to the progress of the initial early release, the IRTS expanded its services to implement the most recent group of early release individuals. Decisions of whether something similar to the early release program will be implemented again are currently under the purview of NJDOC.

“The IRTS Program works diligently to coordinate appointments, and all clients are offered compassion, empathy and overall non-judgmental support,” she said.