John Cornyn, Sheldon Whitehouse Aim to Expand Prison Addiction Treatment

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand substance use disorder treatment for incarcerated people and strengthen reentry services through an updated federal program.

The Supporting Treatment and Recovery Over Narcotics for Growth, Empowerment, and Rehabilitation (STRONGER) Act would reauthorize and update the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program, which provides grants to states and U.S. territories for treatment programs in state prisons and local jails.

The program also supports community-based aftercare and post-release services, including medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, employment assistance, transitional housing, and mental health services.

"Ensuring incarcerated individuals have access to additional treatment is not only proven to reduce recidivism through the successful RSAT program, but it is also morally right," said Sen. Cornyn.

Sen. Whitehouse said Rhode Island's experience with substance use treatment, including medications for opioid use disorder, shows how treatment in jails and prisons can help address addiction and recidivism.

Under the STRONGER Act, RSAT grantees would receive greater access to medication-assisted treatment, while training requirements would be expanded to promote best practices for reentry and continuity of care. The legislation would also require participating programs to establish affiliations with doctors who can administer medication-assisted treatments.

"Support for people battling addiction is a bipartisan priority in Congress," said Whitehouse. "I'm pleased to partner with Senator Cornyn on this legislation to expand access to treatment and recovery options for people who are incarcerated."

The bill is backed by organizations including:

• National Criminal Justice Association
• National Association of Social Workers
• Major County Sheriffs of America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• American Psychological Association
• National Association of Drug Court Professionals