Pubdate: Sat, 27 May 2006
Source: Clovis News Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2006, Freedom Newspapers of NM
Contact:  http://www.clovis-news-nm.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2994
Author: Marlena Hartz, CNJ staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

DETENTION CENTER COULD GAIN NEW PURPOSE

The founder of a drug and alcohol rehab program is hoping to turn an 
old Albuquerque detention center into a secure, residential treatment 
facility for New Mexico addicts in the near future.

Renovations of the old jail have yet to begin, according to Second 
Chances founder Rick Kenery. At this stage in the project, he said it 
is hard to predict when the center will open.

The title to the building was transferred last week, although the 
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center was relocated about 
five years ago, according to a jail division manager, Adan Carriaga.

Local officials trumpet the possibilities of the center, which would 
allow judges to send repeat offenders addicted to drugs or alcohol 
for treatment with the goal of curbing jail overcrowding.

"I absolutely think this is a godsend," said Rep. Anna Crook, 
R-Clovis, a staunch advocate of alternative sentencing. "Our prisons 
are bursting at the seams. We have a revolving door system.

"As soon as (inmates) get out, they are back in because we have not 
cured their alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine addictions."

Enacted roughly three years ago through state legislation, the rehab 
avenue isn't exactly a novice one, Crook said. But in Clovis, Curry 
County, and elsewhere, the legislation lulled in a stalemate with no 
secured place to send offenders with substance abuse problems.

Sending Clovis and Curry County inmates to the Albuquerque rehab 
center would cost $50 per day, according to Curry County Assistant 
Manager Lance Pyle. The county adult detention center, however, is 
already overburdened as a number of inmates are housed in other 
counties. Housing an inmate elsewhere siphons an average of about $40 
a per day from county coffers, Pyle said. More than half of the 
county budget is consumed by law enforcement operations, county 
officials have said.

"Anytime we can send an inmate to get treatment, that is excellent," Pyle said.

The county would save money in the long run by utilizing the 
Albuquerque center, as it would address a major source of recidivism, 
Pyle said.

New Mexico judges are in favor of the project, Kenery said.

"A lot of judges have told us that when they sentence people, they 
know they should be in rehab, but because of their background, they 
cannot be sent to a rehab center because it is not secure," Kenery said.

"So, the system is not working that well."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman