Aced It
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Dr. Danielle Rudes and Shannon Magnuson from the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) at George Mason University developed the Aced It podcast to bring relevant research articles to a broader audience by putting them into layperson’s terms sharing the findings and implications in about 15 minutes.
The Aced It podcast is the place to go if you‘re trying to find out what‘s new in the health and justice research world, but don‘t have the time, energy, or know-how to decipher all that academic writing.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
5 days ago
Extended-Release Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Season 5, Episode 4: Drs. Michael Gordon and Tom Blue (Friends Research Institute) provide an excellent overview of their clinical study of individuals leaving jail while being treated with extended-release naltrexone and buprenorphine.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Nov 28, 2023
COVID, Medication for Substance Use Disorder, & Community Partnerships
Season 5, Episode 3: Episode 3 introduces listeners to Dr. Peter Friedmann (University of Massachusetts, Bay State Health, Chan Medical School) and Dr. Liz Evans (University of Massachusetts, Amherst). Their fascinating study looks at a research project on substance use disorder (SUD) that pivoted in response to COVID challenges; the results have great value to the community, criminal legal and health partners, and participants.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Nov 21, 2023
Improving Opioid Use Disorder Services Through Partnerships
Season 5, Episode 2: In this exciting episode, we hear from Dr. Rosemarie Martin (Brown University) and Linda Hurley (Codac Behavioral Healthcare) about their collaborative study on improving the criminal-legal system’s response to people affected by opioid use disorder (OUD). Their partnership is so inspiring. Take a listen!
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Nov 14, 2023
Women, Incarceration, & Substance Use Disorder
Season 5, Episode 1: In this episode, Dr. Michele Staton (University of Kentucky) walks listeners through her work studying women and community reentry after prison release. She gracefully details the intensive and complex process she uses to understand women’s specific needs related to medications for substance use disorder (SUD).
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Feb 14, 2023
Peer Recovery Support Services
Season 4, Episode 10: Walking a mile in another’s shoes is often a great way to empathize and support someone going through a tough time. However, not all shoes are the same and the miles we walk vary significantly. While peer recovery support is both popular and highly regarded, scholars actually know very little about the process of training, credentialing, and monitoring these relationships. Let’s see what we know and begin to ask more questions to improve upon this common model of support.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Feb 7, 2023
Project ECHO for Helping Medical Professional Learn About MOUD
Season 4, Episode 9: Wow! This episode provides a fascinating look at how detailed and in-depth training can help doctors (who often do not receive training around medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in medical school) can learn more about MOUD to improve their assessment and delivery of the medications to those who desperately need the medications.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jan 31, 2023
MOUD Diversion
Season 4, Episode 8: When patients receiving medicine for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD) share, sell, or hoard their medications (commonly called diversion) it creates a host of new challenges for corrections agencies and entire communities. This episode discusses one study that worked to decrease (and even stop) diversion. It’s amazing what a little planning, communication, and attention to the finer details can accomplish!
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jan 24, 2023
Assessing and Diagnosing SUD More Efficiently
Season 4, Episode 7: Most prisons and jails use a clinical process to assess individuals for substance use disorder (SUD) and a host of other concerns, but the process is often lengthy and cumbersome. Several scholars took this problem as a challenge and developed improved instruments for assessment that streamline the process and provide diagnoses more quickly so carceral staff can get right to designing a case plan and beginning treatment. A win-win!
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jan 17, 2023
Attitudinal and Systemic Barriers to Medicaid Access
Season 4, Episode 6: It seems logical that individual with medical insurance tend to receive more and better healthcare. Medicaid is one program to improve access to insurance (to improve health outcomes), but some states make accessing Medicaid more difficult and the results are often tragic.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jan 10, 2023
Factors Influencing OUD Responses
Season 4, Episode 5: In this episode, we discuss the intensely complex nature of public opinion regarding opioid use disorder (OUD). We highlight a critical study of racial attitudes, political affiliation, and other factors influence on beliefs regarding punishment or medical-responses to OUD. An absolute must-listen!
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jan 3, 2023
Post-Release OUD Overdose Death
Season 4, Episode 4: Did you know that the two weeks following carceral release carries the highest risk for overdose death? In this episode, we review several studies that examine opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose death post-incarceration. We hit on key topics such as Narcan (naloxone), fentanyl, and Naltrexone and consider appropriate interventions to prevent overdose in both institutional and community settings.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Dec 27, 2022
Telehealth and MOUD
Season 4, Episode 3: In this episode we provide an overview of three studies that all examined the use of tele-technology and the delivery of counseling and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The studies offer amazing insight from both patients and counselors about the benefits and barriers of telehealth and MOUD and should get you thinking deeply about this timely and important issue.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Dec 20, 2022
Incarcerated Individuals’ Preferences for MAT
Season 4, Episode 2: It turns out that, no surprise here, individuals who are incarcerated DO have a preference regarding which medication they prefer to assist them with their opioid use disorder, and their reasons are fascinating and insightful. In this episode, we review the idea of patient preference for medication and begin to link those preferences to better treatment outcomes.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Dec 13, 2022
Stigma & SUD
Season 4, Episode 1: Understanding stigma, including self-stigma, is an important part of building our knowledge of substance use disorders. Listen to this episode to hear how stigma and substance use disorder are tragically connected and how we might work to improve both.
Download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jul 31, 2022
Language Matters (S3 Bonus Episode)
This bonus episode is an update to our very first Aced It episode titled "Language Matters."
The words we use to describe certain individuals or groups matter greatly. Words possess indirect connotation or tone beyond their direct meanings. This episode considers language around individuals and groups involved with the criminal legal system and offers suggestions for how to make sure language is specific, stigma-free, and humanizing. This episode fits nicely with the JCOIN goal of capacity building and enhances the entire LEAP curriculum.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF) and visit the The Language Project by The Marshall Project.
Cox, A. (2020). The language of incarceration. Incarceration, 1(1), 2632666320940859.
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Jul 24, 2022
Community Social Vulnerability and Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Within the Continental U.S.: A Cross-Sectional Study (S3E10)
We often talk about or study communities’ responses to substance use disorders but not all communities are the same. This episode considers what scholars found when they compared various community resources and services and what those differences mean for individuals in need of services.
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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Jul 17, 2022
Examining the Implementation of Police-Assisted Referral Programs for Substance Use Disorder Services in Massachusetts (S3E9)
While some argue that incarceration is not the answer for solving our substance use disorder challenges, will police-assisted referrals for SUDs help? This episode takes a deep dive into a study of one such program and reports on what the authors found and what it might mean for us as we continue working toward better outcomes.
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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Jul 10, 2022
The Role of Dealers (S3E8)
What is the role of dealers in protecting users from opioid overdose and harm? This episode looks at a study that asks this question—with fascinating results. We’re all in this together but we need to understand each other and cooperate if we are to truly help people with substance use challenges.
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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Jul 3, 2022
A Qualitative Study of People With Opioid Use Disorders’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic (S3E7)
Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) faced particular challenges in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we explore a study that amplified the voices and experiences of individuals with SUD during a global health crisis. The results are both informative and important.
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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Jun 26, 2022
Reducing Opioid Deaths: The Role of the Community (S3E6)
This episode examines the role of communities in helping individuals with substance use disorder. Study findings suggest a distinct and pronounced need for better education and training around treatment and recovery and a need for everyone to get involved.
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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Jun 19, 2022
Strategies to Improve Implementation of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Reported by Veterans Involved in the Legal System (S3E5)
In this super-interesting episode, we report on a study of U.S. veterans with opioid use disorder who discuss what they think would help them in their treatment. The veterans describe barriers to treatment and what they think they need to be successful during recovery.
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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Jun 12, 2022
Scoping Review of Interventions to Link Individuals to Substance Use Services at Discharge from Jail (S3E4)
What do we know about what happens when we link individuals to substance use services upon jail discharge? This podcast offers a scoping review that examines answers to that question. Want to know more (and find out what a scoping review is)? Give this episode a listen!
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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Jun 5, 2022
Estimating the Impact of Wide Scale Uptake of Screening and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in U.S. Prisons and Jails (S3E3)
How many lives could we save if we provided MOUD to individuals while they are in prison? And how many more lives could we save if we provided MOUD to individuals effectively upon release from prison/jail? Check out this episode to find out and to learn why you should not only care but help.
Download the One-Pager for this episode (PDF).
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May 29, 2022
The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on U.S. State Prison Systems (S3E2)
Providing MOUD comes with some challenges despite many benefits. In this episode, we explore a study involving MOUD within carceral spaces and highlight how some real-world challenges can interfere with treatment in prison.
Download the One-Pager for this episode.
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May 22, 2022
Loosening MOUD Restrictions During COVID-19 (S3E1)
How does a global pandemic like COVID-19 affect individuals engaged in treatment involving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)? Some restrictions were loosened, and the results may be favorable in many ways. Listen to hear more.
Download the One-Pager for this episode.
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Jan 17, 2022
Implicit Bias (S2E10)
Do you have implicit biases? Likely, YES! But you can do something about it. You can recognize them and re-learn new thinking and associated behaviors to tame them within yourself. Take a listen and see what you feel inspired to change within yourself.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jan 10, 2022
A Community Outreach Intervention to Link Individuals with Opioid Use Disorders to Medication-Assisted Treatment (S2E9)
Helping individuals with OUD is a big undertaking. Whole communities are required. This episode discusses a peer outreach and MAT treatment linkage program and considers the various factors that increase the likelihood that participants pursue treatment.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jan 3, 2022
Factors Associated with Drug Use in Prison: Norwegian Offender Mental Health and Addiction Study (S2E8)
In this episode, we head over to Norway, to consider a study that examines drug use before and during incarceration and the factors involved in the use of drugs while incarcerated. So much to learn from other country’s approaches. Listen and learn.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Dec 27, 2021
Adoption of Evidence-Based Clinical Innovations: The Case of Buprenorphine Use by Opioid Treatment Programs (S2E7)
At a more macro level, this podcast considers how states implemented buprenorophine programs for individuals with OUD. What worked? What did not? How and Why?
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Dec 20, 2021
The Benefits and Implementation Challenges of the First State-Wide Comprehensive Medication for Addictions Program in a Unified Jail and Prison Setting (S2E6)
This episode takes a different look at OUD by examining the implementation of an MAT program to consider some of the challenges facing programs, organizations, and communities who want to help individuals with OUD but find there are often roadblocks or hurdles to doing so effectively.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Dec 13, 2021
Conceptualizing Social Recovery: Recovery Routes of Methamphetamine Users (S2E5)
Ever heard of “social” recovery? No? Oh, you’re missing out. In this episode, we talk you through one study that examines various pathways methamphetamine users may take to achieve recovery. It’s not all about abstinence, but it can still yield positive results.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Dec 6, 2021
Withdrawal (S2E4)
This informative episode breaks down the science of withdrawal and walks listeners through how withdrawal affects many aspects of individuals’ lives. It also (yes, there’s more) discusses the problems that emerge when individuals in charge of supervising individuals with OUD do not fully understand withdrawal and the policies/practices in place for dealing with these folks that can actually cause more harm than intended or desired.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Nov 29, 2021
Effectiveness of Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use in Prison and Jail Settings: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review (S2E3)
This episode takes a deep dive into medically assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders by discussing a study that compares carceral resident outcomes when using methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to see which group had lower recidivism and fewer risky behaviors. Want to know which MAT works best? Listen and find out.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Nov 12, 2021
Opioids and the Brain (S2E2)
Ever wonder how opioids affect the body and the brain? This episode breaks down the neuroscience of opioids by showcasing innovative research from several leading scholars. Will you be an expert after listening? Nope. But you’ll definitely know more and it may inspire you to keep learning.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Nov 12, 2021
Opioid Epidemic & Pregnant Women in Prison (S2E1)
This episode explores opioid use disorder (OUD) and stigma among pregnant people with OUD in prison. Stigma around OUD and whether the people were receiving medicine for their OUD prior to custody mattered greatly. The language and the overall stigma around OUD must change if we are to fully address this epic problem.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
HOPE Evaluation (S1E10)
This podcast episode takes listeners on a cross-country road-trip from study site to study site looking deep into the Honest Opportunity Probation Enforcement program. It starts in Hawaii but weaves its way through four other field sites with differing results. Tune in and see if there is hope for HOPE, (or not).
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
POs & EBPs (S1E9)
This episode considers how attitudes, leadership, and training matter for probation officers when using evidence based practices with clients. The study it covers is straight-forward and simple to understand but this podcast breaks it down even further for listeners and provides some common sense take-aways from the science.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Risk/Needs (S1E8)
This episode considers the ever-important topic of the risks and needs of individuals on community supervision like probation or parole. While researchers and some practitioners are learning more about risk and needs, there are still a LOT of unanswered questions like which risks and needs matter most and how they are best addressed. This podcast looks deep into this question using an easy-to-comprehend example of grocery shopping. Confused? Don’t be… have a listen.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Implementation Science (S1E7)
Did you know that Implementation Science is a specific way of examining HOW organizations implement (or start doing) evidence-based practices (EBPs)… practices that are backed by science? If you don’t already know much about implementation science, this podcast was literally created for you. Try listening to this and then engaging in the LEAP Learners’ course by Dr. Gregory Aarons on Implementation Science. You’ll be amazed what you’ll learn.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Mixed Methods Research (S1E6)
Yes, a podcast episode about research methods! Yes, it’s format is fun, interesting, and user-friendly…even though the title is a bit boring. Methods are how researchers conduct their studies and mixed methods means they use multiple methods simultaneously to gather richer data to answer their questions. This podcast provides some explanation for methods terms and ideas that may baffle you…. and it pairs wonderfully with Dr. Liz Evans’ LEAP Learners Course on Mixed Methods.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Research Ethics (S1E5)
There are so many things for researchers to consider when conducting research inside prisons and/or jails. One important part of this research is the ethical concerns around consent and confidentiality. This podcast episode pairs nicely with the LEAP course in Justice Cultures by Dr. David Farabee by engaging listeners with important ethical concerns and offering some practical advice to avoid ethical pitfalls.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Co-Producing Knowledge (S1E4)
You’ve probably heard of researcher-practitioner partnerships…the ways that science and practice can collaborate. But, have you heard of co-producing knowledge? This episode covers this important topic by taking these relationships further than just how they’re formed…and into what amazing things can be accomplished when scientists and practitioners team up. You’ll find that this episode is a great companion to the LEAP Justice Cultures and Correctional Staff courses.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Conducting Prison Research (S1E3)
We. Need. More. Prison Research. However, access is not always easy. This episode discusses some of the challenges researchers face when doing, or trying to do, research in prisons and offers some suggestions to bolster relationships with carceral institutions that yield data, findings, and…more research. This episode is a wonderful accompaniment to all of the LEAP Learners courses.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Climate & Culture (S1E2)
The way things work inside an organization or “how things get done” is what we commonly refer to as the culture or climate of an organization. But culture is more than just that… it is often a facilitator or a barrier to change and reform AND studying it is hard. In this episode, we discuss the many layers of culture and climate and why/how each matters. The episode pairs perfectly with the LEAP Learners Course on Justice Cultures by Dr. David Farabee and the Correctional Staff course by Dr. Lauren Brinkley-Rubenstein.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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Jun 1, 2021
Language Matters (S1E1)
The words we use to describe certain individuals or groups matter greatly. Words possess indirect connotation or tone beyond their direct meanings. This episode considers language around individuals and groups involved with the criminal legal system and offers suggestions for how to make sure language is specific, stigma-free, and humanizing. This episode fits nicely with the JCOIN goal of capacity building and enhances the entire LEAP curriculum.
For more information, download the one-pager for this episode (PDF)
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