Individuals in custody have a constitutional right to receive medical and behavioral health treatment. DRS works with system partners to increase the scope of services available in jails in King County. In doing so, individuals can make needed linkages to community providers and access health care.

Jail Release Planning Program

Release Planning provides clinical continuity of care between incarceration and return to the community by connecting incarcerated individuals with various community-based services. Once a release date is established, the release planner and inmate-patient collaborate on a plan for successful discharge.

This can include setting up benefits, medical appointments, nursing care, crisis respite, coordinating mental health and substance use treatment, and referring the individual to other social services. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the transition directly from jail into services.

Release planning provides these pre-release services to individuals who have a priority condition(s) and are in need of service coordination at release from King County Jails (KCCF or the MRJC). Priority conditions include but are not limited to the following:

• Behavioral Health Issues (chronic/acute Mental Health Disorders and Substance Use Disorders)
• Emergent/Chronic Medical Concerns
• HIV positive
• Frail or vulnerable populations
• Developmental Disabilities/TBI

Six Masters-Level Clinicians provide needs assessment, continuity of care, and pre-release services to inmate-patients while in custody, and serve 30-50 individuals, depending on acuity and need. For more information and contact information, please see this  Release Planning Overview Document.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) at the King County Jail

Public Health-Seattle & King County’s Jail Health Services Division and Therapeutic Health Services (THS) provide medication for treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to eligible adults in the King County jail (i.e., Maleng Regional Justice Center and King County Correctional Facility). THS provides methadone only.

 Specifically, partner agencies provide the following:

• Continuation services: partner agencies continue administration of buprenorphine or methadone for incarcerated adults with an active and verified prescription for buprenorphine or who were actively enrolled in methadone treatment in the community immediately prior to incarceration. 
• Induction services: partner agencies initiate buprenorphine administration for incarcerated adults who have a diagnosis of moderate to severe OUD. Incarcerated adults with OUD who are pregnant, and not already on MOUD at the time of incarceration are prescribed methadone.
• Withdrawal management: partner agencies offer a 4-day taper for individuals experiencing withdrawal who are not interested in ongoing treatment. 
• Overdose prevention: at the time of release from incarceration, partner agencies provide naloxone education and naloxone to incarcerated adults who screened positive for OUD at booking and are interested in naloxone.  
• Coordinated discharge:  At the time of release, partner agencies schedule a same-day MOUD appointment, provide a 7-day supply of medication to patients on buprenorphine while in custody, and offer other needed resources and referrals.

For more information, please see “Common Questions About MOUD in King County Jail” and/or contact Ericka Turley at ericka.turley@kingcounty.gov (206-263-2168). 

Modified Therapeutic Community Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program at the Maleng Regional Justice Center

In partnership with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), the Diversion and Reentry Services Section contracts with Pioneer Human Services (PHS), a WA State licensed treatment provider, to provide the Modified Therapeutic Community Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, WA.

This is a voluntary program that serves adult males diagnosed with a substance use disorder, and is comprised of an array of services that include established evidence-based curriculum and therapeutic community approach. Groups are held five days per week, Monday through Friday. Individuals interested in participating in the program must meet established classifications criteria approved by the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention and meet medical necessity for outpatient or intensive outpatient substance use disorder treatment.

Service delivery methods have been adapted to meet COVID-related safety guidelines.