January 8, 2026 | DevotedDOc | Addiction, Corrections & Public Health

Introduction

Despite significant advances in addiction medicine, opioid use disorder (OUD) remains one of the most undertreated and most lethal medical conditions affecting incarcerated and justice-involved populations. Meanwhile, Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) is a well-established, evidence-based treatment for OUD; however, access within jails, prisons, and reentry programs continues to lag behind accepted clinical standards.

Accordingly, at DevotedDOc, we believe that access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) during incarceration and immediately after release is not optional. Rather, it is medically necessary, ethically required, and supported by decades of scientific evidence.

For this reason, as a physician-owned, clinician-led national telemedicine organization, DevotedDOc was built specifically to close the gap between incarceration, release, and long-term recovery

A Physician-Led Model Built for Correctional & Reentry Care

DevotedDOc is led by physicians with backgrounds in emergency medicine, addiction medicine, clinical informatics, and public health, supported by regional medical directors who understand the regulatory and operational realities of state-based correctional systems.

Our leadership includes:

• Clinical Informatics Specialists focused on compliance, PDMP integration, and continuity of care
  
• Regional Medical Directors overseeing care delivery in Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, and Oklahoma
  
• A multidisciplinary team experienced in reentry medicine, tele-MOUD, and correctional health partnerships
  

Through the DevotedDOc Institute for Virtual Care Excellence, we train clinicians, build standardized protocols, and partner with institutions to deliver high-reliability addiction care at scale.

Why MAT in Jails and Prisons Matters

Notably, more than 50% of incarcerated individuals meet criteria for a substance use disorder, compared with approximately 5% of the general population. Incarceration often represents a rare point of stability yet untreated opioid withdrawal remains common.

Without MAT, incarcerated individuals face:

• Severe withdrawal and medical instability
  
• Increased suicide risk
  
• Higher rates of disciplinary incidents
  
• Extreme overdose risk immediately after release
  

From a clinical perspective, withholding MAT is not neutral it increases morbidity and mortality.

Evidence-Based Benefits of Suboxone During Incarceration

Reduced Recidivism

Importantly, patients who receive buprenorphine while incarcerated are significantly less likely to be rearrested or violate probation after release. Stabilization reduces drug-seeking behaviors that drive recidivism.

Improved Continuity of Care

MAT establishes treatment routines that carry forward after release, increasing engagement with outpatient providers and telemedicine programs.

Dramatically Lower Overdose Risk

After release, opioid tolerance is reduced. Studies show overdose risk can be up to 100 times higher than the general population in the weeks following release. MAT reduces this risk by maintaining opioid receptor stability.

Addressing Common Concerns in Correctional Settings

“MAT Replaces One Drug With Another”

This misconception is inconsistent with modern medical evidence. Suboxone does not create euphoria when used correctly it stabilizes neurobiology and prevents death. Every major medical organization recognizes MAT as the standard of care.

Diversion Risks

Diversion is a logistical concern not a reason to deny treatment. With supervised dosing, clinical oversight, and informatics-driven monitoring, MAT can be delivered safely in correctional environments.

Operational Complexity

Large systems change slowly. That reality underscores the need for telemedicine-enabled partnerships, standardized workflows, and clinician-led oversight exactly the model DevotedDOc was built to support.

The Role of Telemedicine in Reentry & Continuity

The most dangerous period for overdose is immediately after release.

DevotedDOc works with:

• County jails and state prisons
  
• Reentry programs and public defenders
  
• Probation, parole, and community partners
  

Our model supports:

• Seamless transition from incarceration to community care
  
• Rapid post-release telemedicine follow-up
  
• Medication delivery when appropriate
  
• Pharmacy coordination and compliance support
  

Accordingly, this approach is especially critical in Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, where geographic barriers and provider shortages often disrupt continuity of care.

Regional Expertise Matters

Florida & Georgia

Our teams understand state-specific PDMP requirements, telemedicine regulations, and pharmacy workflows, allowing us to deliver compliant Suboxone care without delays.

New Mexico & Oklahoma

In regions with high overdose rates and limited access to addiction specialists, tele-MOUD and reentry-focused care are essential. DevotedDOc partners with local stakeholders to expand access without sacrificing clinical rigor.

The Future of MAT in Corrections

Between 2016 and 2021, MAT utilization in U.S. jails and prisons increased more than 200-fold. During the same period, courts increasingly recognized the denial of MAT as a violation of patient rights; consequently, policy momentum has continued to build.

However, access alone is not enough.

Correctional MAT programs must be:

• Clinician-led, not vendor-driven
  
• Integrated with reentry planning
  
• Supported by informatics and compliance infrastructure
  
• Designed for continuity beyond the facility walls
  

And that is exactly the model DevotedDOc delivers.

Final Thoughts

Opioid use disorder does not stop at incarceration and treatment should not either.

As a DO, Clinical Informatics Specialist, and emergency physician, I have therefore seen firsthand what happens when continuity of care fails. DevotedDOc was built to prevent that failure by aligning medicine, technology, and ethics around the patient.

MAT in jails and prisons is not a political issue. It is a medical one.

And the evidence is clear.

Medically Reviewed and Written By: