| Albuquerque, New Mexico, has a unique criminal | | | | The report continues, “In the case of substance |
| rehabilitation program, based in a center offering a | | | | abuse treatment, drug abstinence, as well as other |
| new concept in criminal justice. The Second Chance | | | | behaviors consistent with a drug-free lifestyle, can be |
| Center ( offers secure long-term rehab as an | | | | reinforced using these principles. In contingency |
| substitute for the judiciary to traditional sentencing to | | | | management, access to a high-probability behavior |
| jails and prisons. The 600-bed facility uses | | | | (one that is likely to occur) is made contingent on a |
| programming based on research done by L. Ron | | | | low-probability behavior (one that is unlikely to occur). |
| Hubbard in the field of drug rehabilitation and criminal | | | | In other words, participating in a desired activity |
| behavior. | | | | depends on completing an undesirable activity.” |
| Rick Pendery, the national executive director of the | | | | Incarceration is a first step of contingency |
| Second Chance Centers explains, “The program | | | | management. Their behavior in regard to society was |
| specifically addresses common deficits found in | | | | negative so they get sent to a secure center to |
| offenders with substance abuse histories. We use | | | | start with. There is some penalty factor in this. |
| protocols which teach cognitive behavioral skills and | | | | Pendery further explains their program, “We also |
| life skills and help to develop moral values and restore | | | | use contingency management with a whole system |
| self-esteem. This type of therapy has been found to | | | | of rewards for their positive behavior and penalties |
| have a positive impact on the development of | | | | for negative. They complete a course and get |
| pro-social behaviors and reduced recidivism. Previous | | | | validated, get a certificate, etc. If they misbehave |
| outcome studies on this treatment method have | | | | they can lose commissary privileges, they can lose |
| demonstrated equal success for a variety of | | | | visitation rights, etc. If they are doing well, they can |
| commonly abused street drugs and alcohol.” | | | | participate in special days we put on for them, such |
| In a report written by the National Institute on Drug | | | | as Super Bowl, New Years football games, or video |
| Abuse, updated in 2006, entitled, Methamphetamine, | | | | movie night on Friday and Saturday nights. They also |
| Abuse and Addiction, treatment of meth addiction | | | | can earn chits they can use in the commissary as |
| said, “At this time, the most effective | | | | well.” |
| treatments for methamphetamine addiction are | | | | “The Urban Institute evaluated the manuals we |
| behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral and | | | | use and verified them to be cognitive behavioral |
| contingency management interventions.” | | | | therapy. In our six to eight-month program we offer |
| Contingency management (CM) treatments are | | | | courses that teach self-control, critical reasoning, |
| based upon a simple behavioral principle -- if a | | | | development of moral reasoning skills, development |
| behavior is reinforced or rewarded, it is more likely to | | | | of life skills, self-esteem, problem solving and help |
| occur in the future. Such behavioral principles are used | | | | them develop coping resources. This is done using |
| in everyday life. Employers use bonus systems and | | | | four modules, Education, Self-Respect Development, |
| salary increases to reward their employees. Parents | | | | Life Skills Instruction and our long-term sauna |
| often have dessert as a reward or allowances for | | | | detoxification program. |
| keeping their chores completed throughout the week. | | | | |