Research from the University of New Mexico suggests that providing methadone and other substance use disorder treatments in jails can reduce recidivism rates. Brady Horn, a professor in the Department of Economics, and Paul Guerin, director of the Center for Applied Research and Analysis (CARA) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR), examined a program at Bernalillo County's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) that offers methadone treatment to inmates.
“It’s a good place to begin using methadone because you’re physically there, and methadone is taken daily. It’s a liquid dose, typically, and staff go around each morning and give you your dose of methadone,” said Guerin.
Horn and Guerin investigated whether such treatments behind bars could lower recidivism rates. According to Horn, “People who receive methadone maintenance in jails went back to jail less, which saved New Mexico taxpayers more money in the long run.”
Statistics indicate that individuals entering the criminal justice system are likely to return. CARA's research shows over 33% of people return to jail within six months, and 60% within approximately three years. Substance use disorders are believed to be a significant factor driving these returns.
“We understand people commit crimes for a variety of reasons and one of the reasons is because they have substance use disorders or a mental health disorder," said Guerin. "That's why we should be doing things that could reduce people's future contact with the criminal justice system and treatment is one of those things we should be focused on."
The cost implications are also significant. Providing treatment within the incarceration system can ultimately be cheaper by reducing future incarceration costs. “Currently, it costs about $122 a day to keep someone in jail on average, and if they are a client in the psychiatric services unit this is closer to $175 a day," noted Guerin. "It’s less costly to provide them services in jail first, then continuing them into the community than it is to keep them in jail for extended periods because they just end up coming back.”
Horn emphasized that crime has broader costs beyond incarceration expenses, including costs to victims and associated pain and suffering. “High rates of recidivism are unfortunate and very costly; if we could stop this cycle and stop people from being incarcerated it would be valuable to society," he said.
Ten years ago, substance use disorder treatments were rare in New Mexico prisons. However, there has been significant progress since then towards implementing such programs across the state's incarceration systems.
“I’m in favor of programs that can treat substance use disorders and reduce recidivism," Horn stated. "I'm also in favor of changing how we incarcerate people and trying to reduce the cycle of re-offending."
Guerin added: "We want people to understand treatment works. If we can serve their needs, we can reduce their risk of committing new crimes."
Resources for substance use disorder treatment are available outside jails as well. The New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center provides a free confidential poison hotline staffed by pharmacists trained in toxicology and addiction medicine 24/7.