THE 1,500 MEN AND WOMEN IN CAP HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY AND HAVE CHOSEN TO DO TIME IN INSTALLMENTS AT THE REHABILITATION CENTER INSTEAD OF SERVING A CONTINUOUS STRETCH IN THE STATE PRISON. A COMPROMISE BETWEEN IMPRISONMENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT, THE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM DOES NOT AIM TO CURE ADDICTION BUT TO INTERRUPT ITS CYCLE AND MINIMIZE DEPENDENCE ON NARCOTICS. A 7-YEAR PROCEDURE IS INVOLVED, PROVIDING SHORT PERIODS OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION FOR DRYING OUT, REFLECTION, AND SOME TREATMENT. IT IS HOPED THAT THE DRUG ABUSE HABIT CAN THUS BE KEPT UNDER CONTROL ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE ADDICT FROM REVERTING TO CRIME. INSTITUTED BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS IN 1967, CIVIL COMMITMENT IS A PRACTICE SINCE DROPPED IN ALL STATES BUT CALIFORNIA, WHERE THE PROGRAM IS ALSO DWINDLING (ALTHOUGH EFFORTS ARE UNDER WAY TO REFORM IT). CRITICS CONTEND THAT COMPULSORY TREATMENT IS A CONTRADICTORY CONCEPT; THEY ARGUE THAT THE CENTERS ARE MUCH LIKE MINIMUM SECURITY PRISONS. MOREOVER, RECENT DETERMINATE SENTENCING PROVISIONS IN CALIFORNIA HAVE MADE THE CIVIL COMMITMENT OPTION LESS ATTRACTIVE TO ADDICT OFFENDERS. THE PRINCIPAL TREATMENT FORM IS GROUP THERAPY; OTHER INMATE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WITH JOB SKILL TRAINING CURRENTLY GETTING THE MOST EMPHASIS. THE CENTER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH INMATE DISTURBANCES, ESCAPES, RACIAL TENSION, AND WIDESPREAD DRUG AVAILABILITY. PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS STUDIES REPORT CONFLICTING RESULTS. SUPPORTERS OF CIVIL COMMITMENT ARGUE THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FOR MONITORING ADDICTS' RELAPSES TO ADDICTION AND FOR HAVING A MEANS OF CURTAILING THE PROCESS. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED.