The Wilderness Experience is an innovative, experiential program under New Mexico's Statewide Forensic Treatment System for mentally disordered first offenders and those soon to be released on parole or probation. Developed from the concepts of Outward Bound, criminal offenders undergo an intensive 17-21 day confrontation with their physical, emotional, and social boundaries through such high stress activities as backpacking, cooperative group living, rock climbing, river rafting, rappeling, and wilderness survival solos. Preliminary data gathered on 30 clients indicate statistically significant positive treatment effects; clients return less depressed, paranoid, tense, worried, and ego-centric. The program has treated 103 adults (average age - 22.3 years, composed of 30% Anglo, 55% Spanish, 10% Black, and 5% American Indian) and 109 juveniles (average age - 16.1 years, composed of 38% Anglo, 53% Spanish, 5% Black, 2% American Indian, and 2% other). For adults, the recidivist rate is 8% based on reconviction and a return to the Penitentiary within 9 months. The rate for juveniles is 10% recidivism at 3 months and 17% at 9 months. Course failure has been a 100% predictor of recidivism for both juveniles and adults. Cost per day, per client in the wilderness is $47.99, but there are hidden cost benefits due to diversionary and early release/resocialization referrals. The program offers a therapeutically effective alternative to the costs of long-term incarceration. (NEC)