Essex County, MA
Essex County Sheriff’s Department
Massachusetts
Urban & Suburban | Population: 810,089The Essex County Sheriff's Department (ECSD) has taken a transformative approach to addressing substance use disorders and reentry challenges with its 2020 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) initiative. Through the creation of the Essex Medication-Assisted Treatment Pre- and Post-Release Recovery Program (EMATRP), ECSD has implemented a patient-centered model that bridges gaps in care coordination and discharge planning, providing critical support to individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community.
Addressing Gaps in Care Coordination
1,600
individuals trained on naloxone administration and overdose prevention
Brooke Pessinis, Assistant Superintendent of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Services at ECSD, identified a significant need for enhanced care coordination and discharge planning within the jail’s Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. Many participants, particularly those with histories of chronic incarceration, faced overwhelming challenges upon release, ranging from securing housing to navigating complex systems like child welfare or employment services.
Before the grant-funded enhancements, case management services were limited, often excluding unsentenced individuals. However, when the program team began exploring interest in expanded case management services, the response was overwhelming. Patients frequently expressed concerns such as homelessness upon release or difficulties navigating systems like the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Recognizing these unmet needs, EMATRP introduced Continuum of Care Coordinators (CCCs) to provide comprehensive support throughout the reentry process.
“We need case managers to follow these patients from the time they’re admitted with the program to the time they leave. A lot of our patients have just been lifetime incarcerated individuals. So, leaving here is this whole new world.”
—Brooke Pessinis, Assistant Superintendent of moud services
essex county sheriff’s department
The Role of Continuum of Care Coordinators
The CCCs form the backbone of EMATRP’s discharge planning process. In August 2024, four CCCs were hired at the Lawrence Pre-Release Facility to connect individuals with transitional housing, harm reduction resources, outpatient programming, peer recovery support, and other essential services. Their responsibilities include assisting with insurance enrollment, securing identification documents, coordinating employment and educational opportunities, and building relationships with community providers.
What sets CCCs apart is their hands-on approach. By visiting community programs and clinics in person, they gain firsthand knowledge of what patients will experience post-release. “You can read the website, you can show them pamphlets,” Pessinis noted, “but it helps if you walk in the doors and see what [the patients] are going to be seeing.” This proactive engagement not only strengthens trust between CCCs and patients but also fosters stronger partnerships with community service providers. As Pessinis explained, “Having the right person to reach out to saves [the CCCs] so much time in the long run. It gets people into programs quickly. It gets the patients the services they need faster.”
A Patient-Centered Approach
218
average daily participants in 2025
At its core, EMATRP emphasizes individualized care tailored to each participant’s unique needs. This philosophy extends even to instances of non-compliance, such as medication diversion. Rather than resorting to punitive measures, program staff work collaboratively with participants to understand and address underlying issues contributing to non-compliance.
This compassionate approach reflects EMATRP’s commitment to fostering recovery rather than perpetuating cycles of punishment. By prioritizing patient safety and engagement in treatment, the program creates an environment where individuals feel supported in their journey toward reentry success.
“We’re not officers—it’s a medical program. We give these guys every possible chance to stay on the program.”
—Brooke Pessinis, Asstistant
Superintendent of moud services
essex county sheriff’s department
Key Program Elements
Medication-Assisted Treatment
In April of 2023, ECSD became a licensed opioid treatment program, providing in-house MAT services at both the Essex County Jail and House of Corrections using FDA-approved medications. In August of 2024, a new medication unit was opened at the Lawrence Pre-Release Facility, to serve the Lawrence Pre-Release Facility and the Women in Transition Facility.
Comprehensive Reentry Services
Through the Supporting Transitions And Reentry (STAR) program, participants receive support with housing, employment, identification documents, insurance enrollment, and care coordination upon release. The addition of Continuum of Care Coordinators has enhanced access to transitional MAT services while significantly improving discharge planning processes.
National Recognition
The EMATRP program has emerged as a national model for integrating evidence-based treatment and recovery practices into correctional settings.
In 2023, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department was selected as a mentor site for the COSSUP Jail-Based MAT Mentor Program and hosts other agencies from around the country through structured peer exchanges.
“Our program is a national model that uses quality treatment and recovery-based practices for this very high-risk population to provide the best-integrated care for reentry success.”
—Brooke Pessinis, Asstistant Superintendent of moud services
essex county sheriff’s department
Looking Forward
3,150
individuals admitted to opioid treatment services since 2021
To date, EMATRP has demonstrated its ability to transform lives by addressing both immediate needs during incarceration and long-term challenges post-release. By integrating medical treatment with robust reentry planning and community partnerships, ECSD is setting a new standard for correctional substance use disorder programs.
Looking ahead, EMATRP aims to continue refining its patient-specific approach while expanding access to critical services for justice-involved individuals. Through its innovative model of care coordination and unwavering commitment to recovery-focused practices, this program is paving the way for more effective reentry outcomes—both locally and nationally.
Collaborative Partners
Essex County Sheriff’s Department
Endicott College, Evaluator
Stonehill College, Evaluator
Project Director
Leah Harrington, Project Director
Essex County Sheriff’s Department
lharrington@essexsheriffma.org
978-750-1900
This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.