Assessing Two Decades of Insanity Acquittee Release from the North Carolina Forensic Program

Over the past two decades, an increasing proportion of North Carolina state psychiatric hospital beds have been used to house forensic patients. Insanity acquittees occupy almost all forensic-designated beds in the state. Despite the effect insanity acquittees have on state hospital use in North Carolina, outcomes for acquittees after they are released from the state hospital are unknown because of a lack of previous research. This study evaluates postrelease outcomes for insanity acquittees discharged from the North Carolina Forensic Treatment Program between 1996 and 2020. The study also describes the association between the demographic, psychiatric, and criminological characteristics of insanity acquittees and outcomes of recidivism or rehospitalization. The results show that insanity acquittees in North Carolina have higher rates of criminal recidivism than acquittees in other states. There is also evidence of systemic bias against minority race acquittees in the insanity commitment and release process in North Carolina. Outcomes for insanity acquittees released from the state Forensic Treatment Program could be improved through the introduction of evidence-based practices widely used in other states.

Barriers and facilitators to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) engagement among individuals released from federal incarceration into the community in Ontario, Canada

Introduction

Correctional populations with opioid use disorder experience increased health risks during community transition periods. Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) can reduce these risks, but retention is a key challenge. This study addresses a knowledge gap by describing facilitators and barriers to OAT engagement among federal correctional populations released into the community in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

This article describes results from a longitudinal mixed-methods study examining OAT transition experiences among thirty-five individuals released from federal incarceration in Ontario, Canada. Assessments were completed within one year of participants’ release. Data were thematically analyzed.

Results

The majority (77%) of participants remained engaged in OAT, however, 69% had their release suspended and 49% returned to custody. Key facilitators for OAT engagement included flexibility, positive staff rapport, and structure. Fragmented OAT transitions, financial OAT coverage, balancing reintegration requirements, logistical challenges, and inaccessibility of ‘take-home’ OAT medications were common barriers.

Conclusions

Post-incarceration transition periods are critical for OAT retention, yet individuals in Ontario experience barriers to OAT engagement that contribute to treatment disruptions and related risks such as relapse and/or re-incarceration. Additional measures to support community OAT transitions are required, including improved discharge planning, amendments to OAT and financial coverage policies, and an expansion of OAT options.