INDIAN CREEK PRISON HANDS OFF DUTY OF INMATE DRUG REHABILITATION

CHESAPEAKE - After years of running one of the nation's largest
prison-based drug treatment programs at Indian Creek Correctional
Center, the state is turning to a private company to improve inmate
rehabilitation at the Chesapeake facility.

The Virginia Department of Corrections has agreed to pay $1.4 million
a year to Massachusetts-based CiviGenics to provide programming for
the 781-bed drug treatment service, said Larry Traylor, a prison
spokesman. CiviGenics, a provider of in-prison treatment, was awarded
the contract on Aug . 1. The DOC brought in outside help "to improve
the benefits of the program for offenders,'' Traylor said.

It is unclear if the switch was the result of complaints from inmates
in years past.

The program, called the Indian Creek Therapeutic Community, has been
characterized by inmates as "a joke.'' One inmate had said he would
rather be "digging ditches'' than participating. A small group of
inmates once staged a sit-down strike against the program.

In 1999, Dr. Harry K. Wexler, a consultant hired by the state, found
that the program had major weaknesses. The involuntary nature of the
program was counterproductive, Wexler said, because drug abusers are
not likely to change until they are motivated from within. Officials
from the DOC were unavailable this week to explain why the state
turned over its operations to a private firm, Taylor said.

"For several years, the DOC has attempted to accomplish this program
growth through staff training and technical assistance from
consultants,'' Taylor said in a prepared statement.

"However, we have concluded that to truly accomplish this level of
growth in such a large program requires daily, on-site experience and
expertise.''

CiviGenics prides itself on being the largest provider of in-prison
treatment services in the country, working in at least 15 states. The
firm signed a two-year contract with the DOC, said Roy Ross, company
president.

The new program is already up and running at the prison near Sanderson
Road in the southeastern section of Chesapeake.

CiviGenics has hired 26 employees to work at Indian Creek. Locally
hired counselors make up the majority of the staff, Ross said.

The program targets medium-security inmates with a history of serious
substance abuse and is open to offenders scheduled for release within
nine to 18 months, said CiviGenics officials.

Inmates convicted of sex crimes or first-degree murder are barred from
participating. The primary goal of CiviGenics is to reduce criminal
recidivism, Ross said.