How Jails Can Use Opioid Settlement Funds for Overdose Detection

Correctional facilities are on the front lines of the opioid crisis. A large percentage of incarcerated individuals struggle with substance use disorders with an estimated 65% of the United States prison population having an active substance use disorder (SUD), and another 20% under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime according to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). 

To compound the situation, the risk of overdose or medical complications is highest during the first few days of custody when an inmate is going through withdrawal.

With the availability of opioid settlement funding, correctional leaders now have an opportunity to invest in tools that directly address these risks and improve outcomes.

One of the most effective ways to do this is by enhancing how facilities monitor and respond to high-risk individuals.

Data Behind Opioid Deaths

Deaths due to opioid overdose are declining, but the aftermath it leaves behind is devastating. 

According to a 2025 CDC report, Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic:

• Approximately 105,000 people died from drug overdose in 2023 and nearly 80,000 of those deaths involved opioids (about 76%).

• The number of people who died from an opioid overdose in 2023 was nearly 10 times the number in 1999; however, the opioid overdose death rate declined 4% from 2022 to 2023.

• Deaths involving various types of opioids are declining at different rates.

An estimated 440,000 to over 600,000 people with opioid use disorder (OUD) are admitted to U.S. jails annually. Roughly one-quarter of the jail population has an opioid use disorder. 

Resources on Opioid Settlement Funds

National opioid settlements have secured over $50 billion from pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and pharmacies to be paid out over through 2038 to state, local, and tribal governments. For copies of the settlement agreements, visit the National Opioids Settlement website. 

These funds are intended for opioid abatement like prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address the ongoing overdose crisis.  

As of March 29, 2026, Opioid Settlement Tracker’s reports the official global sum of settlements reached between U.S. state, local, & tribal governments and pharmaceutical opioid corporations is $57.8B. Christine Minhee, J.D. independently maintains this website and each of its datasets pro bono to detail U.S. states' and localities' opioid settlement expenditures. 

The National Association of County and City Health officials provides “A Quick “How-To” Guide for Understanding Opioid Settlements State-to-State” on how to manage opioid settlements and find relevant resources.

The Critical Risk Window

The first 24 to 72 hours after intake is a high-risk period. Individuals may be entering withdrawal, experiencing medical complications, or at risk of overdose. 

Traditional monitoring methods rely on scheduled cell checks, which can leave gaps between observations. During these gaps, critical incidents, including health emergencies, can occur without immediate detection, leaving the inmate in a crisis situation.

A Shift Toward Continuous Monitoring

Modern technology allows facilities to move from periodic, manual observation checks to continuous awareness supported by advanced sensor fusion technology. Systems like Cell-Guardian provide real-time monitoring of inmate activity without requiring wearable devices or physical interaction.

By analyzing movement, inactivity, and behavioral patterns, the system can identify potential signs of overdose or distress and alert staff immediately.

This shift from reactive to proactive monitoring is essential for improving safety.

Supporting Overdose Prevention and Response

Opioid settlement funds are intended to support life-saving interventions. Continuous monitoring aligns directly with this goal by enabling earlier detection and faster response. 

Law enforcement agencies are beginning to use their settlement funds to invest in these types of technologies. Not only does this technology provide continuous oversight of high-risk inmates, it also enables the correctional staff to be more effective.

With real-time alerts, staff can intervene during the most critical moments of a health emergency.  Seconds matter in life or death situations, so utilizing modern technology as an extra set of eyes enables staff to be more efficient, prepared, and ready to respond. This can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the likelihood of fatal incidents.

Strengthening Withdrawal Management

Withdrawal management is another key focus area for opioid funding. Continuous monitoring supports staff by providing visibility into inmate conditions during detox, helping identify when additional care or intervention is needed. 

Staff can monitor and assess an inmate’s withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, nausea, muscle pain, sweating, shaking, and high blood pressure from a safe location and have team members ready to respond when needed.

This allows facilities to better manage high-risk individuals without increasing staffing demands.

Reducing Risk and Improving Accountability

In addition to improving safety, advanced monitoring systems provide documented evidence of incidents and response actions. This supports compliance, internal review, and reduces legal exposure related to preventable deaths in custody.

Moving Forward

Opioid settlement funding presents a critical opportunity for correctional facilities to invest in solutions that save lives.

By implementing continuous monitoring technology, facilities can improve overdose detection, support staff, and create safer environments for both inmates and officers.

Cell-Guardian offers a practical, non-intrusive way to achieve these goals while aligning with funding priorities focused on prevention, response, and harm reduction.

Learn more at www.cell-guardian.com.