Criminon
Criminon is a Scientology front group that recruits prisoners into Scientology courses.
What Is Scientology? devotes 6 pages to Criminon, noting that it was spawned by Narconon (even calling it a "branch of Narconon"). The book claims that Criminon was in use in 750 prisons in the late 1990s.
Second Chance - Criminon Renamed
Recently, Criminon has turned up under a new name - Second Chance.
There is extensive evidence linking Second Chance and Criminon.
Second Chance has gotten federal funds for use in New Mexico prisons.
Second Chance has gotten government funds in Buffalo, NY. Former members of Scientology's Buffalo organization have documented the ties between Scientology and its Criminon alter ego, Second Chance, showing that Erie County had given half a million dollars to Second Chance for its unproven and deceptive Scientology-based program.
Links
Date | Title | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Supporting Information - Second Chance and Scientology | |||
| KRQE News 13: Drug-rehab deal linked to politics, Scientology | |||
| Captive Audience? Criminon's push into the District's corrections system has critics | |||
| March 27, 1998 | Church hits at jail claim | Church of Scientology leaders have rejected claims that they are "canvassing" for new members in Irish prisons. The controversial church is contacting violent criminals offering them a place on their "Criminon" rehabilitation programme. Spokesman Graham Wilson dismissed reports that this was a strategy to recruit new members. | |
| March 28, 2001 | Prison help for addicts stalled | Arizona Republic: Prison help for addicts stalled | |
| January 12, 2007 | Labour Given Thousands By Scientology Charity | The Labour Party received thousands of pounds from an offshoot of Scientology, the Evening Standard reveals today. The decision to accept money from a charity linked to the controversial cult was taken at the highest level by members of the National Executive Committee. They allowed the charity, the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), to take a stall at the party's annual conference in Manchester. | |
| January 19, 2007 | Rethinking Rehab: Treatment for Prisoners Draws Fire Over Scientology | Second Chance is one of the country's most unusual alternatives to the nation's prison systems, founded by Scientologist and former real-estate developer Rick Pendery. Even before it opened its doors to inmates last September, Second Chance and its unconventional methods had ignited a controversy in New Mexico's legal community. Judge Lang says he is "highly suspicious" of the program. "If it is connected to Scientology, just say so," he says. Second Chance officials and a spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology say there are no ties. |