Albuquerque, New Mexico, has a unique criminal rehabilitation program, based in a center offering a new concept in criminal justice. The Second Chance Center (www.secondchancecenters.com) offers secure long-term rehab as an substitute for the judiciary to traditional sentencing to jails and prisons. The 600-bed facility uses programming based on research done by L. Ron Hubbard in the field of drug rehabilitation and criminal behavior.

Rick Pendery, the national executive director of the Second Chance Centers explains, “The program specifically addresses common deficits found in offenders with substance abuse histories. We use protocols which teach cognitive behavioral skills and life skills and help to develop moral values and restore self-esteem. This type of therapy has been found to have a positive impact on the development of pro-social behaviors and reduced recidivism. Previous outcome studies on this treatment method have demonstrated equal success for a variety of commonly abused street drugs and alcohol."

In a report written by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, updated in 2006, entitled, Methamphetamine, Abuse and Addiction, treatment of meth addiction said, “At this time, the most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction are behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral and contingency management interventions." Contingency management (CM) treatments are based upon a simple behavioral principle -- if a behavior is reinforced or rewarded, it is more likely to occur in the future. Such behavioral principles are used in everyday life. Employers use bonus systems and salary increases to reward their employees. Parents often have dessert as a reward or allowances for keeping their chores completed throughout the week.

The report continues, “In the case of substance abuse treatment, drug abstinence, as well as other behaviors consistent with a drug-free lifestyle, can be reinforced using these principles. In contingency management, access to a high-probability behavior (one that is likely to occur) is made contingent on a low-probability behavior (one that is unlikely to occur). In other words, participating in a desired activity depends on completing an undesirable activity."

Incarceration is a first step of contingency management. Their behavior in regard to society was negative so they get sent to a secure center to start with. There is some penalty factor in this. Pendery further explains their program, “We also use contingency management with a whole system of rewards for their positive behavior and penalties for negative. They complete a course and get validated, get a certificate, etc. If they misbehave they can lose commissary privileges, they can lose visitation rights, etc. If they are doing well, they can participate in special days we put on for them, such as Super Bowl, New Years football games, or video movie night on Friday and Saturday nights. They also can earn chits they can use in the commissary as well."

“The Urban Institute evaluated the manuals we use and verified them to be cognitive behavioral therapy. In our six to eight-month program we offer courses that teach self-control, critical reasoning, development of moral reasoning skills, development of life skills, self-esteem, problem solving and help them develop coping resources. This is done using four modules, Education, Self-Respect Development, Life Skills Instruction and our long-term sauna detoxification program."