The Challenge Program provides treatment to high-security inmates with substance use problems and/or mental illnesses. Programming is delivered within a modified therapeutic community (MTC); inmates participate in interactive groups and attend community meetings while living in a housing unit separate from the general population.

In addition to treating substance use disorders and mental illnesses, the program addresses criminality, via cognitive-behavioral challenges to criminal thinking errors.

The Challenge Program is available in 13 high-security institutions. Inmates may participate in the program at any point during their sentence; however, they must have at least 18 months remaining on their sentence. The duration of the program varies based on inmate need, with a minimum duration of nine months.

An inmate must meet one of the following criteria to be admitted into the Challenge Program:

• A history of drug use as evidenced by self-report, Presentence Investigation Report (PSI) documentation, or incident reports for use of alcohol or drugs.
• A serious mental illness as evidenced by a current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, or severe personality disorder.