Scientology faces ban over jail `infiltration'
Source: Independent - London
Publication date: 2001-07-01
    www.independent.co.uk/

The Church of Scientology, once described by a judge as "corrupt,
sinister and dangerous", is under investigation by the Home Office
for targeting drug-addicted prisoners.

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, is considering banning
leaflets used by the sect to recruit inmates to its anti-drug
programme.

Prison groups and anti-cult campaigners fear that the organisation,
whose members include the actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta,
is trying to infiltrate British prisons.

Bob Keenan, a spokesman for the L Ron Hubbard Foundation,
which is part of the church, said the ads were "just to inform
people". However, Harry Fletcher, from the National Association of
Probation Officers, said the circulation of Church of Scientology
literature to prisoners and people on probation was "extremely
worrying".

The leaflets are being circulated by Criminon UK, the charity which
runs the sect's drugs programme. It says it uses vitamins, minerals
and saunas to sweat out toxins, thereby curing addicts. Criminon
says it treats up to 200 prisoners a week.

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Publication date: 2001-07-01
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