Effects of the Connections program on return‐to‐custody, mortality and treatment uptake among people with a history of opioid use: Retrospective cohort study in an Australian prison system

Abstract

Background and AimsConnections is a voluntary health program that facilitates access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and social services for people with opioid use exiting prison. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of Connections in reducing recidivism and improving health outcomes for people with a history of opioid use on leaving prison.DesignRetrospective cohort study with quasi‐random allocation to the program.SettingPublic adult prisons in New South Wales, Australia, 2008–2015.ParticipantsAdults released from custody with a history of opioid use. Of 5549 eligible releasees, 3973 were allocated to Connections and 1576 to treatment‐as‐usual.MeasurementsOutcomes were return‐to‐custody, all‐cause mortality, and OAT participation.FindingsRegression analyses on an intention‐to‐treat basis, and adjusting for baseline propensity scores, comparing patients allocated to Connections versus treatment‐as‐usual showed no difference in rates of return‐to‐custody within 2 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92 –1.12). Patients allocated to the Connections program were more likely to access OAT (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.06–1.39) and had lower mortality within 28 days of release (0.25% vs. 0.66%; HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.14–1.03). Differences in mortality did not persist beyond 28 days. Subgroup analyses showed that allocation to Connections was associated with higher risk of return‐to‐custody within 28 days for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) and female releasees.ConclusionsThe Connections program for people with opioid use exiting prison did not reduce the likelihood of return‐to‐custody but did facilitate opioid agonist treatment participation on release from prison.