The purpose of the new york city department of correction (DOC or the department) project is to expand substance misuse services for the departments high-risk high-needs population

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) was awarded a $1,430,073 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and other Substances Use Program (CFDA 16.838). The grant will fund the expansion of substance misuse services for the DOC's high-risk, high-needs incarcerated population. Key activities include hiring four addiction treatment counselors and one supervisory counselor to provide individualized treatment plans, counseling, evidence-based groups, discharge planning, and linkages to community-based organizations. The DOC will also incorporate medication-assisted treatment and incentives to promote program engagement and positive outcomes. Additionally, the DOC will hire individuals with lived experience to engage incarcerated individuals in a mentoring program. The grant aims to decrease jail-based substance misuse, drug-related infractions, and associated medical emergencies and incidents of violence. The project period runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2027.

Primary activities include hiring four (4) addiction treatment counselors and one supervisory addiction treatment counselor to provide persons in custody with individualized service plans, one-on-one counseling sessions, evidence-based groups, discharge planning services, and linkages to community-based organizations. The department will ensure access to medication assisted treatment and incorporate incentives to promote program engagement and positive outcomes. The department will hire people with lived experience to engage incarcerated individuals in a mentoring program. The department anticipates a decrease in jail-based substance misuse levels, as well as a reduction in (drug-related) infractions. This translates to fewer jail and community-based medical emergencies and incidents of violence. The proposed urban service area includes all of new york citys five boroughs -queens, manhattan, bronx, brooklyn, and staten island). The intended beneficiaries are individuals in custody, including those residing in enhanced supervision housing and general population maximum security units.