Jillian Landeck, MD; Brian Kenealy, MD, PhD; Mary F. Henningfield, PhD; Meagan Sulikowski, MSW; Melanie Biegler, DO; Hazel Behling, BA; Jen Zaborek, MS; Alison Miller, DO
WMJ. 2026;125(4):498-501. Published November 1, 2026.
ABSTRACT
Background: This pilot primary care transition program evaluated the impact of a prerelease intervention for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) on linkage to care and treatment retention.
Methods: Participants with opioid use disorder who were incarcerated for an opioid-use offense, had a diagnosis of OUD, or were receiving medications for OUD were recruited from local county jails. Using peer support specialists, participants completed prerelease telemedicine visits with a primary care physician were scheduled for follow-up with 1 week of release.
Results: High rates of treatment retention were observed at 1 week (28/30; 93%), 3 months (24/30, 80%), and 15 months (16/30, 53%), despite 45% of participants (13/29) being unhoused.
Discussion: Integrating primary care physicians and peer support specialists into jail reentry programs for individuals with OUD may improve continuity of care and linkage to treatment following release from incarceration.