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As of 2022, all prisons and jails in New York were mandated to establish programs that provide evidence-based medication and supports for opioid use disorder to people in their custody. But anecdotal evidence indicates this isn’t happening.

Participants and correctional staff alike report long waitlists, understaffing and limited oversight of the program. Insufficient reporting limits the ability to effectively enforce compliance with the law.

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One bright spot is the program at Saratoga County jail. Its recovery unit is a space of healing that many would not expect to see within a carceral environment. I deliberately designed the unit this way based on what I would have wanted when I was incarcerated there — a space where people can actually get better.

I’ve had to bury 13 of my best friends, knowing that if only they had access to evidence-based treatment when incarcerated, they could still be here today. So when I had the opportunity to design Saratoga County’s unit, I prioritized an “educate and rehabilitate” approach over “house and punish.”

Not only do we provide over six dozen men and women access to medications for opioid use disorder, we also offer more than 17 hours of programming every week, including cognitive behavioral therapy, individual case management and music and art therapy. Participants benefit from peer professionals — trained individuals........

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