Expanding opioid treatment and HIV prevention in prisons and probation
Prison Interventions and HIV Prevention Collaboration
This project brings opioid agonist therapy and HIV prevention services to people who inject drugs in prisons and on probation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11396975 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are incarcerated or on probation and use opioids or inject drugs, this project works to make it easier to get lifesaving opioid agonist treatment (like methadone or buprenorphine) and HIV prevention services where you are. The team builds on earlier pilots that used screening, brief counseling, and referrals, and they will train local staff and use a Project ECHO tele-mentoring model to support clinicians. The work focuses on real-world rollout across prisons and probation systems, using existing health staff and infrastructure so services can continue after the project ends. The goal is to link people leaving prison or under supervision to ongoing care to reduce HIV risk and overdose.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People in prisons or under probation supervision in Eastern Europe and Central Asia who inject drugs or have opioid use disorder, especially those living with or at high risk for HIV, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People who are not in criminal justice settings, who do not inject drugs or have opioid use disorder, or who live outside the targeted EECA countries are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lower HIV transmission and improve access to sustained opioid treatment and follow-up care for incarcerated and probation populations.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier pilots in the region used SBIRT and a Project ECHO model and showed promise for scaling up opioid agonist therapy, but broader real-world implementation has not yet been completed.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Altice, Frederick Lewis — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Altice, Frederick Lewis
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 below.