NEXUS Methamphetamine Treatment Center

Program Overview

The NEXUS Program is a partnership between Community, Counseling, and Correctional Services, Inc. (CCCS) and the Montana Department of Corrections (MDOC).  The program represents the culmination of efforts by CCCS and MDOC to provide an alternative, proactive response to traditional sentencing of adults who are involved with, and addicted to, methamphetamine and other chemicals of dependence. 

NEXUS, which means connecting or linking services, is an 80-bed methamphetamine treatment facility for adult male offenders who have been convicted of second or subsequent methamphetamine possession or a first methamphetamine lab construction. 

Located in Lewistown, Montana, it is a $9.2 million facility designed, financed, constructed, and owned by CCCS.  Construction began May 2006 and the program began operating on June 1, 2007.  NEXUS has 44 employees and it contracts with MDOC.

The program is based on a therapeutic community model of treatment and includes a comprehensive array of correctional programming and services, including food service, transportation, routine medical and dental services, and various other programs such as anger management, family relationships, life skills, criminal thinking errors, and cognitive restructuring groups and counseling. 

View the Program's Directory.

View the Program Statistics.

View the Program Evaluation.

Program Mission

The NEXUS Program is an intensive, cognitive-behavioral based addictions treatment community assisting Family Members (offenders/clients) to develop the skills necessary to create pro-social change, reduce anti-social thinking, interrupt criminal behavior patterns, and address the negative effects of chemical addictions while integrating more fully into society.

Program Goals

NEXUS Program has as one of its primary goals the operation of a safe, humane program, which provides a place of custody and provides programs and services that offer Family Members opportunities for positive change.  Specific goals have additionally been set as bench marks for the measurement of the services provided and are as follows:

• To increase the methamphetamine addicted offender's level of knowledge of chemical dependency and the consequences of methamphetamine use.
• To provide offenders' with treatment and ancillary services necessary to create pro-social change, reduce anti-social thinking, criminal behavior patterns and the negative effects of chemical dependency -- particularity as it relates to methamphetamine use.
• To promote responsibility and accountability of offenders by providing an experiential, pro-social community environment.
• To maintain a 98% level of offenders admitted to Phase II who have developed an individualized recovery plan by the end of Phase II of the program.
• To maintain a 98% level of offenders who have developed an individualized community-based aftercare plan by the end of the last phase of the program.
• To maintain at 98% the number of offenders who understand and practice relapse prevention skills.
• To decrease the number and frequency of positive alcohol/drug screens while under probation supervision after graduation from the program.
• To decrease the proportion of offenders who violate probation as evidenced by a lower number of intermediate sanction and revocations.
• To decrease the incidence of further methamphetamine-related convictions.

Program Objectives

CCCS staff have established the following objectives to enable NEXUS to best achieve stated program goals:

• All Family Members will be assessed upon intake using the following cross referenced diagnostic tools:
  (1) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV);
  (2) Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI);
  (3) Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test -- the "short" being a shorter version of the original version (Short MAST);
  ( 4) CAGE, which is a verbal screening method used to establish an index of suspicion.  The acronym, CAGE, is based on these questions:
      Have you ever decided to cut down on your drinking?
      Have you ever been annoyed by questions about your drinking?
      Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?
      Have you ever needed a morning eye-opener?
   
• All Family Members will participate in developing a Phase I individualized treatment plan.
• Ninety-eight percent of the Family Members admitted to the NEXUS Program will progress from Phase I to Phase II and will have developed an individualized recovery plan by the end of Phase II.
• Each Family Member advancing to Phase II will participate in developing a Phase II individualized treatment plan.
• Ninety-eight percent of all Family Members advancing to Phase II will progress to Phase III.
• All Family Members advancing to Phase III will participate in developing a Phase III individualized treatment plan.
• All Family Members will participate in an individual counseling session upon admission into the program.
• All Family Members will participate in an individual counseling session with his lead counselor upon advancement to Phase II.
• All Family Members will participate in an individual counseling session with his lead counselor upon advancement to Phase III.
• All Family Members will participate in a staffing and continued stay session at least once every 30 days.
• All Family Members will meet with the Aftercare Coordinator at least 60 days before program completion.
• Ninety-eight percent of the Family Members will have developed a community-based aftercare place by the end of the program.
• All Family Members will participate in a discharge conference with the treatment and aftercare staff prior to discharge.

Administration and Program Staff

A dedicated team of staff distinguished by both education and experience provide services at NEXUS.  CCCS has carefully selected a diverse, professional staff to ensure that Family Members receive the most effective environment for correctional programming and community transitional services.

View a brief staff biography.

Contact Information

Marcie Conmy, Program Administrator
P.O. Box 1200
Lewistown, MT  59457
Phone: 406.535.6660 ext. 225 Fax: 406.535.6665

Making the Referral

We will accept referrals to the Program from every aspect of the Montana criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: DOC Officials; Probation and Parole Officials; Prosecutors; Public Defenders; and Judicial Authorities.

Significant others and interested individuals may (and are strongly encouraged to) contact the program directly to gain more information, however, they are not able to make a self-referral.

In order to refer an individual, the program must receive a completed Nexus Application, a criminal background history (i.e. Pre Sentence Investigation or National Crime Information Center), and any other legal or medical documentation that may exist which could affect admission (i.e. other charges, warrants/detainers, order of revocation, parole board instructions, medical procedures/issues, etc.).  Additional, supplemental information, which is referred to in the application is greatly appreciated, but not required (unless specified by the program and/or screening committee).

When making a referral, please complete the Department of Corrections' Adult Community Corrections Division's (ACCD):
Application Evaluation Form

For more specific instructions on how to fill it out, please read:
Instructions for the ACCD Application Evaluation Form..

Please submit all referrals to:

Marcie Conmy, Program Administrator
P.O. Box 1200
Lewistown, MT  59457
Phone: 406.535.6660 ext. 225 Fax: 406.535.6665

Once a referral is received, a program screening committee determines an individual's acceptance into the program.  The NEXUS screening  committee consists of the NEXUS Program Administrator, a member of Probation & Parole, the local sheriff, the city manager, and a representative of the community.  In all cases, referring individuals and agencies will be notified in writing as to the admissions status and possible start date of the referred individual.

The screening process is the only means of admission into the Program. The NEXUS screening committee convenes bi-weekly, and all referral sources will be notified within 24 hours of their referents acceptance or denial to the program. 

View the NEXUS screening guidelines.

Upon acceptance into the NEXUS Program, there are specific items that are authorized for Family Members (clients) to bring.  Specialty items not listed must be cleared in advance by the Security Coordinator.   

View the NEXUS Authorized Personal Property List.

View the NEXUS Cleanliness Guide.