The findings are published are part of the multi-national Mortality After Release from Incarceration Consortium (MARIC) study, which includes a wide range of researchers and data from all over the world. The study encompasses nearly 1.5 million prison releases globally of which the Norwegian contribution is almost 100,000 releases (2000-2016).
The article addresses mortality following release from prison and highlights the especially high risk of death during the first week after release with overdose and suicide being among the most common causes of death.
The data from the Norwegian part of the study originate from SERAF's PriSUD project, and the basis for the collaboration with this international group was their publication on mortality after release from Norwegian prisons which was published in 2017 in the journal Addiction.
The findings from this new Lancet article highlight the importance of implementing measures during incarceration that contribute to effective treatment of substance abuse and mental illness for those who are incarcerated as well as of providing good follow-up during the vulnerable transition phase from prison to civilian life post release. Additionally, it is important to establish contact with the treatment services outside the prison before release so that there is not a gap in care.
The time during incarceration should be seen as a window of opportunity to both identify and start proper treatment of substance abuse and mental health disorders, thus helping to prevent relapse after release.