A group of inmates on methadone in the community at the time of their arrest were maintained on methadone while incarcerated.

Four groups' re-booking data, including those maintained on methadone during detention, opioid-dependent individuals not in treatment at the time of arrest who were detoxified in jail, individuals receiving alcohol detoxification, and general population inmates were assessed for 1 year following release.

The methadone group was less likely to be rebooked and had a longer time to rebooking than opioid and alcohol detoxification groups.

There was no significant difference in being rebooked for felonies for the opioid detoxification and methadone maintenance groups.

Over 97% of those on methadone returned to their home clinics after release.