Scientology and the State: Narconon's Influence in the Prison System

Scientology has never been a stranger to controversy and now an alternative prison rehabilitation center based on Scientology drug treatment stirs concern with medical experts. The Second Chance Center is a small facility outside Albuquerque, N.M., which uses the Scientology-based drug treatment program called Narconon. It is the first prison-based rehabilitation center in America that was designed specifically to foster the Narconon system, and its founders hope that it will be the model for more centers around the country. The Narconon program, designed by Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, uses a system of saunas, massages, organic diets, and behavior training classes intended to help drug addicted inmates kick their habits. But medical experts from several states are concerned that the federally funded program is ineffective and potentially dangerous.