AUSTIN – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the Supporting Treatment and Recovery Over Narcotics for Growth, Empowerment, and Rehabilitation (STRONGER) Act, which would help reduce recidivism and break the cycle of addiction by updating and reauthorizing the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program that provides treatment and recovery resources to incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders:

“Ensuring incarcerated individuals have access to addiction treatment is not only proven to reduce recidivism through the successful RSAT program, but it is also morally right,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to help more Texans get their lives back on track and become productive, healthy members of society after they’re released from prison.”

“Support for people battling addiction is a bipartisan priority in Congress, and I’m pleased to partner with Senator Cornyn on this legislation to expand access to treatment and recovery options for people who are incarcerated,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Rhode Island has shown that making safe and reliable substance use treatments, including medications for opioid use disorder, available in jails and prisons can help reduce recidivism and break the cycle of addiction.”

Background:

Established under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program provides grants to every state and U.S. territory, and through them, to state prisons and local jails to provide substance use disorder treatment programs to individuals under their supervision. These grants also provide community-based aftercare and post-release treatment that can include medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy and employment, transitional housing, and mental health services.

The STRONGER Act would reauthorize RSAT funding and provide critical updates to the program, including:

• Allowing grantees greater access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT);
• Expanding training requirements to encourage best practices for reentry and continuity of care;
• And requiring affiliations with doctors who can administer MATs. 

The legislation is endorsed by the National Criminal Justice Association, National Association of Social Workers, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Major County Sheriffs of America, National Police Foundation, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, The National Council for Behavioral Health, Dismas Charities Inc., Center for Court Innovation, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Westcare Foundation International, Community Corrections Association, Correctional Leaders Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and National Association of Drug Court Professionals.