Pilot Study 2: Identifying Critical Elements for Recovery Housing Model for Criminal Legal System-Involved Individuals Receiving MOUD
Study Director: Jodie Dewey, PhD completed her pilot study while she was a research scientist at Chestnut Health Systems’ Lighthouse Institute in Chicago.
I-STARR Mentor: Co-I Lenny Jason, PhD.
Pilot Study: Jodie conducted a qualitative comparative case study to identify effective policies and practices for recovery homes serving criminal legal system-involved clients receiving MOUD. The study examined what critical elements are necessary for recovery home models to meet this population’s needs and how formerly incarcerated MOUD clients experience staff treatment and recovery processes.
Approach: The study used a qualitative comparative case study approach with four purposefully selected recovery homes in Chicago and Cook County. Data collection included document analysis of program policies, focus groups with staff at each site, and individual semi-structured interviews with five client participants per home.
Innovations: This is the first focused examination of recovery housing barriers and facilitators specifically for individuals involved in the criminal legal system who are receiving MOUD. The research will lead to development of the first research-informed recovery housing model designed for this vulnerable population, who are 129 times more likely to die from overdose following release and nearly 10 times more likely to experience homelessness.
Watch an interview with Jodie to learn more.
Presentations and Publications:
Dewey, J. M. (2024) Meeting the Recovery Housing Needs of Criminal Legal System-Involved Individuals. I-STARR Webinar
Dewey, J. M., & Watson, D. P. (2024). You Have to Show up as an Opportunity: Recovery Home Staff’s Key Ingredients Support Criminal Legal System-Involved Residents. Poster at the annual Addiction Health Services Research Conference.
Dewey, J. M. (2025). Meeting the Recovery Housing Needs of Criminal Legal System-Involved individuals. Presentation at the National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science.
Dewey, J. M., Tompkins, J., Mericle, A., & Watson, D. P. (2025). “Wing leaders” in recovery residences: staff key approaches supporting criminal legal system-involved residents receiving medication for opioid use disorder. Frontiers in public health, 13, 1519469.
Dewey, J. M., Bell, J. S., LaVergne, D., Jason, L. A., & Watson, D. P. (2025). “Trust the process:” NARR Level 3 recovery home approaches to working with criminal legal system-involved residents. Justice, Opportunities, and Rehabilitation, 64(3), 179–196.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Learn about the project, stay updated, and keep in touch. Sign up now.