A bipartisan group of five U.S. senators recently announced a significant legislative effort aimed at improving addiction treatment in prisons. The bill, called the Supporting Treatment and Recovery Over Narcotics for Growth, Empowerment, and Rehabilitation (STRONGER) Act, seeks to reauthorize and strengthen the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program — a federal initiative providing funding and guidance for addiction recovery services for incarcerated individuals.
This development marks an important step in addressing the substance use disorders (SUD) crisis within the criminal justice system — a critical intersection for many struggling with addiction.
What Is the STRONGER Act?
The STRONGER Act would extend funding for the RSAT program through 2029 while improving key components of addiction treatment in prisons nationwide:
- More funding for training state officials who oversee these programs.
- Stricter clinical quality standards to ensure treatment programs follow evidence-based practices.
- Expansion to include pre-trial treatment, starting recovery earlier in the incarceration process.
- Support for a comprehensive range of services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mental health support, employment help, and transitional housing.
- Funding for infrastructure improvements to support better treatment environments.
Why Is Improving Addiction Treatment in Prisons So Important?
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a key sponsor of the bill, said,
“We should encourage our prisons to create a path for inmates to rebuild their lives free of addiction. By starting the road to recovery while incarcerated and continuing it afterward, we are giving these Americans a second chance for a new life.”
This reflects a crucial reality: approximately 85% of people in prison have a substance use disorder. Effective addiction treatment in prisons is essential not only for the health of incarcerated individuals but also for public safety, helping reduce relapse and recidivism after release.
Bipartisan and Organizational Support
Along with Sen. Cassidy, senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) back the bill. Their bipartisan support underscores the growing consensus on the importance of addiction treatment in prisons.
The STRONGER Act also has the endorsement of several national organizations focused on addiction and mental health, including the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), Mental Health America (MHA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and others dedicated to advancing quality care.
A Broader Shift Toward Improved Prison-Based Care
The STRONGER Act is part of a larger movement to better integrate addiction treatment in prisons with public health approaches. For example, CMS recently launched a demonstration program enabling states to provide Medicaid coverage to incarcerated people, improving access to treatment while incarcerated and upon release.
Additionally, county-level programs providing addiction care in jails and prisons may benefit from opioid settlement funds, helping to expand effective addiction treatment in prisons and correctional facilities.
What’s Next?
Though the STRONGER Act has not yet been officially published on Congress’s legislation website, it represents a promising advancement for addiction treatment in prisons. If passed, the bill will provide states with greater resources, stronger clinical standards, and expanded services to help inmates begin recovery and continue it post-release.
Supporting and improving addiction treatment in prisons is a vital step toward breaking the cycle of addiction and incarceration, offering individuals a real chance at rebuilding their lives and contributing positively to their communities.
If you or a loved one is affected by addiction within the criminal justice system, staying informed about changes in addiction treatment in prisons can help you access new resources and support systems as they become available.
