Witnesses at House Corrections hearing urge continuous MOUD treatment for detainees, back H.32 changes

Members of the House Corrections and Institutions Committee heard detailed accounts Thursday about gaps in continuity of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) when people leave Vermont correctional facilities, and testimony supporting changes in the bill H.32 to expand reentry planning to cover detainees.

The testimony focused on how treatment started inside facilities can be disrupted at release. Jason Brosh, a resident of Calais who participated in the committee hearing, said he was taken off continuity planning when contractors changed and “there was no arrangements made for me to continue with treatment when I left the facility.” Brosh told the committee he was released from court wearing “gray sweatpants,” with no identification and without immediate access to MOUD.

The gap between in‑custody induction onto MOUD and community follow‑up has real consequences, witnesses said. Joshua Tripp, a former detainee now in treatment court, told the panel he was released in June 2024 without medication and “went back to using from June till September,” until treatment court connected him to care.

Why it matters: committee members and witnesses said incarceration is often a window of opportunity to start or stabilize MOUD because people are sober and accessible for care; losing access…