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The effect of pre-release treatment with injectable naltrexone on criminal justice and substance use outcomes
Results from a randomized controlled trial
Strange, C. C., Hyatt, J. M., Montagnet, C., Powell, K., & Langleben, D. D. (2025). The effect of pre-release treatment with injectable naltrexone on criminal justice and substance use outcomes: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Experimental Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-025-09661-0
ObjectivesEvaluate the impact of extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) on postrelease criminal justice contact and substance use among individuals with opioid use disorder in correctional settings.MethodsA randomized waitlist-controlled trial was conducted. The treatment group (n = 47) received XR-NTX shortly before release, and the comparison group (n = 47) was put on a waitlist for treatment at six months post-release. Outcomes were measured at 3 and 6 months post-release and included new arrests, parole revocations, reincarceration, and positive drug tests. Data were analyzed using t-tests and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates.ResultsAt 3 months post-release, the treatment group had marginally fewer parole revocations. At 6 months, there were no significant differences in criminal justice or substance use outcomes, though the treatment group had fewer positive drug tests and a longer time to first positive drug test.ConclusionsThere is limited evidence that XR-NTX reduces poor criminal justice and substance use outcomes.