Recovery After Incarceration

Upon leaving incarceration, individuals who re-enter society face a significantly higher risk of drug overdoses and homelessness.

In Minnesota, overdose is a leading cause of death for individuals released from correctional facilities within one year.¹ Approximately 90% of incarcerated people in Minnesota have a substance use disorder, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.²

Why?
During incarceration, a person’s physical tolerance for substances decreases. Meanwhile, illicit drugs in the community may become more potent, as has been the case with fentanyl contaminating the drug supply. So, a person has a higher chance of overdosing if they use the same amount they took prior to incarceration when their tolerance was higher. 

That’s why it is important to support people who have substance use disorders after their release with peer recovery specialists, who can help with the transition by providing skills, housing, and pathways to recovery.

Creating an Ecosystem of Recovery Upon Re-Entry

In 2022, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received funding to support the Creating an Ecosystem of Recovery upon Re-Entry: Expanding Peer Recovery Specialist & Housing Services across Minnesota project from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program.

This initiative uses the Recovery Ready Ecosystem Model to uplift Peer Recovery Support Services, Recovery Community Organizations, and housing support organizations as primary agents of change. By investing in recovery organizations that are led by people in recovery, this novel approach will increase the representation of justice-involved recovery leaders in the state’s continuum of care.

Together, the work of these organizations provides justice-involved Minnesotans a pathway to long-term recovery while reducing recidivism, homelessness, and overdose deaths. In this initiative, MDH and grantees do the following:

Train currently incarcerated people as Peer Recovery Specialists.

• Partner Organizations: Minnesota Department of Corrections and Minnesota Recovery Connection.

Expand the statewide Certified Peer Recovery Specialist workforce.

• Partner Organizations: Minnesota Recovery Connection and their Recovery Community Organization (RCO) sub-awardees, including:
  • Face it Together (RCO serving Bemidji area)
  • Recovery Community Network (RCO serving St. Cloud area)
  • Recovery Alliance Duluth (RCO serving Arrowhead-Duluth area)
  • Recovery Engaged Communities (RCO serving Moorhead area)
  • Recovery is Happening (RCO serving Rochester area)
  • Twin Cities Recovery Project (Black-led RCO serving Twin Cities area)
  • Beyond Brink (RCO serving Mankato and Twin Cities area)

Expand release planning and Peer Recovery Support Services within the Department of Corrections.

• Partner organization: Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Increase the availability of housing and housing support services in areas with high rates of overdose for individuals with justice involvement as they re-enter their communities.

• Grantee organizations: EMERGE and Anishinaabe Endaad.

Resources

There are many resources available to help individuals re-enter their communities after incarceration.

Tackling Overdose With Networks (TOWN) is a program that provides rural communities with access to medications for opioid use disorder.

The Minnesota Naloxone Finder can help you find naloxone, for purchase or for free, from nearby providers.

Contact Us

Please contact MDH at health.drugodprev@state.mn.us if you have questions regarding the grant work described on this page.

References

1. Source – Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services in Prison (PDF), Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2019.
2. Source – Treating Opioid Use Disorder for Criminal-Justice Involved Individuals (PDF), Minnesota Department of Management and Budget, 2021.