Creating fair guidelines for post-release supervision to prevent overdose and suicide among formerly incarcerated individuals
Official title: Developing Racially Equitable post-release supervision Assignment guidelines to prevent overdose and suicide Mortality among formerly incarcerated people (DREAM)
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11065954 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make the support people get after being released from prison better, especially to help reduce the chances of drug overdoses and suicides, so that everyone can have a safer and healthier transition back into their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,253 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MD020240-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065954 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently been released from incarceration and are subject to post-release supervision.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not formerly incarcerated or who are not involved in post-release supervision may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving post-release supervision (PRS) for individuals who have been incarcerated, particularly addressing the high risk of drug overdose and suicide they face upon release. The study aims to identify factors that influence the length of PRS assignments and to develop evidence-based recommendations for modifying these policies. By optimizing PRS terms, the research seeks to balance the benefits of supervision with the risks of reincarceration, particularly for racially minoritized populations. The ultimate goal is to create a safer reintegration process that reduces mortality rates among these vulnerable individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to reduced rates of overdose and suicide among formerly incarcerated individuals, improving their chances of successful reintegration into society.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting the optimization of post-release supervision for overdose and suicide prevention, similar approaches in other contexts have shown promise in improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swilley-Martinez, Monica E — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Swilley-Martinez, Monica E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.