Louisville Jefferson County Metro, KY
Louisville Jefferson County Metro Government
kentucky
Urban | Population: 771,517In 2019, Metro Corrections booked over 29,000 individuals into custody. In over 25% (7,000) of these bookings, substance use was indicated, with 72% (5,000) related to opioid use disorder. Since 2020, with funding from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP), the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC) has undertaken a transformative journey to expand its medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, addressing the growing needs of justice-involved individuals with substance use disorders. By adding buprenorphine maintenance to its existing methadone maintenance services, the program experienced a dramatic surge in participation, from an average of 10 patients per month to 120. This rapid growth has required innovative strategies to overcome challenges related to space, staffing, and program design, ultimately leading to a more effective and inclusive approach to treatment.
No. 1
lmdc is the first detention center in Kentucky with a licensed Opioid Treatment Program inside the facility
“Expanding our MAT program has improved health outcomes and supported recovery efforts for justice-involved individuals, ultimately contributing to a more effective approach to substance use disorder treatment within a jail facility.”
—jamie allen, executive administrator
louisville metro criminal justice commission
Adapting to Growth Through Creative Solutions
The expansion of the MAT program has necessitated resourceful problem-solving. Space constraints posed an immediate challenge, with eight staff members working out of a small office. To maximize efficiency, the team implemented a carefully coordinated scheduling system for one-on-one appointments and other activities. Multipurpose rooms within the facility were repurposed for clinical use, and staff occasionally conducted sessions in dorms while ensuring patient confidentiality was maintained.
1,100%
increase in the number of incarcerated individuals receiving mat services
Staffing limitations also required adjustments to service delivery. Initially, patients were seen weekly for individual sessions. However, as demand increased, the program shifted to monthly one-on-one sessions while placing greater emphasis on clinical group therapy. This change allowed the team to serve more individuals without compromising the quality of care. Importantly, patients could still request additional individual sessions whenever needed, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to their needs.
Innovative Approaches Yield Unexpected Benefits
When low enrollment in the women’s dorm coincided with a need for additional beds elsewhere in the facility, LMDC adopted an unconventional solution: opening the treatment dorm to women from the general population who had substance use needs but were not actively receiving MAT. This decision, born out of necessity, produced surprising benefits. Danielle Cornwell, Community Health Manager at Louisville Metro Government, observed that these women began thriving in the program dorm. “They’re getting all kinds of resources, and they’re learning about treatment,” she explained. Many expressed gratitude for being introduced to recovery options they hadn’t known existed.
Key Elements
Continuity of Care
Individuals who were receiving methadone or buprenorphine in the community prior to arrest can continue their treatment while incarcerated.
Enhanced Referrals & Peer Navigation
Upon release, participants are connected with clinics, sober living facilities, or other supportive services through strengthened referral systems and peer navigation support.
Flexible Program Design
Expansions such as group therapy sessions and broader dorm eligibility have enabled the program to adapt to changing needs while maintaining high-quality care. LMDC has also broadened its partnerships and networks.
Transformative Impact
The expansion of LMDC’s MAT program has had far-reaching effects on health outcomes and recovery efforts for incarcerated individuals.
1,810
incarcerated individuals served by the lmdc mat program since 2020
Since 2020, the MAT program has served 1,810 individuals, a testament to its scale and impact. Looking ahead, the team is preparing for its next phase of growth: initiating induction services for new patients entering the facility. Cornwell expressed enthusiasm for this challenge: “We like the challenge.”
By providing structured, evidence-based interventions that promote engagement in treatment and reduce relapse risk, the program is creating stronger pathways for long-term recovery success.
“People get in trouble in lots of different locations. The county has worked really hard to build relationships with the counties across the river and counties, honestly, throughout the state of Kentucky to prevent people from getting pulled to other counties who don't have MAT as a part of their jails, and then be able to get them into treatment, or keep them in treatment here in Louisville.”
—danielle cornwell, community health manager
louisville metro government
Looking Ahead
In April 2025, LMDC’s medical contractor, YesCare, transitioned into being the MAT provider at the jail. LMDC became the first detention center in the state of Kentucky to become a licensed Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) inside of a correctional facility. State Auditors and the Drug Enforcement Agency will be utilizing LMDC as the benchmark for assisting with the licensure process for other correctional facilities in the state.
Collaborative Partners
Louisville Jefferson County Metro Government
Louisville Metro Department of Corrections
Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, The MORE Center
YesCare
Project Director
Jamie Allen, Executive Administrator
Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission
jamie.allen@louisvilleky.gov
502-574-5033
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.