Suboxone normalization, also MAT normalization, is the reduction of diversion controls at the prison medline.
 Youtube @DOCOpenRecords |  Download file File name: MAT-final-packet-.pdf File type: PDF File size: 1 MB |
| https://youtu.be/Aq8hS2tzo3s | >Vermont |
In 2022, Sterling Correctional Facility piloted MAT normalization by eliminating the 5-10 minute wait after Suboxone administration.
| The time consuming monitoring of the MAT policy combined with increased MAT program enrollment caused operational strain. |
| The 2022 SCF MAT normalization pilot eliminated MAT monitoring required by CDOC MAT policy. | https://youtu.be/uy9nI7G0TzQ?t=14 |
The August 2024 MAT policy omits MAT monitoring, which was a requirement of the MAT policy prior to August 2024
CDOC piloted the procedural breakage of their MAT policy for nearly two years before implementing the practice variance into policy.
| Prisons can choose to monitor inmates who receive MAT meds, such as Rhode Island: |  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpLhmtzjBvc&t=86s Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/300079114 |
& Connecticut (CTDOC)
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| In prison, MAT monitoring is a diversion control. |
MAT normalization (aka. Suboxone normalization) eliminates MAT monitoring. Removal of this diversion control from policy and procedure eliminated a time- and staff-intensive practice.
By reducing staff work, staff are freed to attend to other matters. By eliminating a time-intensive process, the responsible cost center realizes cost savings.
In theory, reduced diversion controls don’t necessarily cause increased contraband activity.
In 2019, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) started at Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) with about a dozen participants.
With a small number of MAT program participants, it was relatively unbothersome for a small group of inmates to be monitored to ensure Suboxone dissolved. MAT monitoring during this time was characterized by custody and clinical staff observing inmates sitting on their hands or standing still while waiting for sublingual Suboxone to dissolve.
 | In October 2023, 804 inmates were enrolled in MAT at CDOC. |
| Page 10 | https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/opioid_sud_interim_committee_moud_in_the_cdoc_2023.pdf |
As MAT program participation increased, the diversion control requirements became very time-consuming for staff.
Increased MAT program enrollment meant a substantial staffing burden to perform the five to ten minute MAT monitoring. Corners were cut, and a new standard was developed.
Sterling Correctional Facility (SCF) was the first CDOC facility to enact the Suboxone Normalization Pilots in 2022.
| In an effort to solve the problem created by the time-consuming diversion controls, SCF was the first CDOC facility to pilot Suboxone Normalization. |  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy9nI7G0TzQ |
| When MAT started at CDOC in 2019 inmates were monitored after receiving Suboxone for five to ten minutes to prevent Suboxone diversion. | |
| The Sterling Correctional Facility Suboxone Normalization Pilot started in early 2022. | |
| A few months later, other Suboxone Normalization Pilots were started at other CDOC facilities. |
| In 2022, Colorado DOC piloted MAT normalization. The pilot program expanded from facility to facility through August 2024. By early 2023, three CDOC facilities were piloting Suboxone normalization. |
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MAT normalization was piloted at CDOC by staffing reductions. MAT normalization is the elimination of a diversion control procedure. |
The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) issued a Controlled Substance License (CSL) to Sterling Correctional Facility (SCF) from August 2023 through February 2024.
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SCF had been violating its MAT policy for about 20 months before BHA issued its CSL. After this provisional license expired, no other CSL’s were issued to DOC — except DRDC via OTP due to methadone requirements. In all facilities except DRDC, the department administers buprenorphine MAT under pharmacy license and individual practitioner licenses, not CSL nor OTP. SCF continued to violate its MAT policy for a total of about 31 months. Suboxone normalization started in early 2022 and ended when the new MAT policy promulgated August 2024.
In FY23-24 Q2 BV piloted MAT normalization. Management reports show a substantial increase in drug-related offenses.
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| Download file File name: BVCC-Management-Plan-2023-2024-Q1_Redacted.pdf File type: PDF File size: 1 MB | Download file File name: BVCC-Management-Plan-2023-2024-Q2_Redacted.pdf File type: PDF File size: 2 MB |
An August 21, 2024 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) inspection found Buena Vista Correctional Complex (BVCC) deficient.
The 2024 CDOC MAT policy was promulgated August 22, 2024.
A July 28, 2025 CDPHE inspection found SCF deficient due to “the facility failed to ensure pharmaceutical services were provided in such a way as to ensure medications were not diverted” and “RNs did not inspect the patients’ mouths to ensure patients swallowed the medication..
Suboxone normalization refers to treating the sublingual placement of suboxone as the complete medication administration procedure.
Prior to normalization, the 1-15 minutes of monitoring was performed by custody and clinical staff. The current MAT administration practice in Colorado DOC is normalized due to the absence of MAT monitoring tested by the Suboxone Normalization Pilots.
| Why do inmates divert their pills? https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/bph/wp-content/uploads/sites/161/2023/12/ISUDT-BPH-Open-Session-December-18-2023-PowerPoint-Slides-1.pdf Slide 47 |  |
| The 2019 MAT policy included diversion controls like five to ten minutes of special MAT monitoring. | |
| In early 2022, CDOC studied the removal of MAT monitoring with the Suboxone normalization pilots. | |
 | The incidence of diversion is in no way related to diversion controls. |
| 21 U.S. Code ยง 856 – Maintaining drug-involved premises Link to: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/856 |
Why should prisons prevent medication diversion?
Inmates, visitors, staff and anyone who gets caught introducing drugs to incarcerated prisoners faces severe state retribution. Wardens should not encourage and supply a contraband market – but what are the consequences of that happening? What could be said of a prison that juices sub rosa narcotic trade?
Do prisons stimatize the vulnerable with security operations?
Typically, staff are not permitted to support black market inside detention facilities. This website aims to make plain the doublespeak of the Colorado DOC leadership and the actions the Department took to increase contraband within its facilities. Context about normalization and dynamic security is provided to promote discussion about MAT normalization.
This website is under construction.
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