Key Messages

People released from custody often experience significant mental health and substance use challenges. Adequate services are thus critical resources in the transition from custody to community. COVID-19 has exacerbated those challenges and disrupted related supports, with populations over-represented in the prison system including Indigenous, African, Caribbean and Black (ACB), and 2SLGBTQ persons—shouldering disproportionate burdens of harm. This study will examine (1) the mental health and substance use needs, challenges, and strategies of people released from custody during the pandemic, (2) service disruptions and adaptations experienced by community agencies who support this population and the needs of the staff of these agencies.

Lay Summary

Since our last update, we (1) hired 2 research coordinators; (2) submitted the REB application package for the study; (3) initiated a scoping review of the mental health and substance use needs and services for people incarcerated or released during the pandemic; (4) received data from ConnexOntario to identify the current service disruptions and adaptations in Ontario; and (5) initiated development of peer researcher training and posted the ad for these positions. Our core research team also completed cultural safety training, the First Nations principles of ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP) training, and convened two community partner meetings.

Author(s)

• Nominated Principal Applicant: Flora I. Matheson – MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
• Co-Principal Investigator: Angela Mashford-Pringle – Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

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Population

Vulnerable or At-Risk Populations, Indigenous Peoples and Communities, Chronic Disease and/or Mental Illness, People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) and Substance Use, Healthcare, Front-line Workers and Public Safety Personnel

Language

To ensure the rapid dissemination of this critical information, information is published in the language in which it was submitted. Please contact us for French or English translations.