Brainwashing in Scientology’s Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF)

Stephen A. Kent, PhD
Department of Sociology
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H4
— Published in 2002 by Minister Ursula Caberta of the Hamburg Interior Ministry (see PDF below)

Clickable links to Dr. Kent’s paper hosted on solitarytrees.net

Table of Contents

• Abstract
• Introduction
• The “Brainwashing Debate” within the Social Sciences
• RPF Accounts in the Courts and the Media
• Methodological Issues
• Ideational History of the RPF
• Hubbard’s Brainwashing and Psychopolitics Manual
• Hubbard’s Discussions of Brainwashing in the Late 1960s
• Organizational Forerunners of the RPF
• The Creation of the RPF
• The Creation of the RPF’s RPF
• RPF Consistencies and Variations
  1. Forcible Confinement
  2. Accounts of Physical Maltreatment
     1. Excessive Exercise—The Running Program
     2. Physically Demanding and Tiring Chores
     3. Poor Diet
     4. Issues of Hygiene and Medical Care
     5. Sleeping Conditions
  3. Social Maltreatment
     1. Boiler Suits; Formal Address to “Superior;” Armbands
     2. Restrictions on Speaking and Writing
     3. Media and Book Restrictions
     4. Salaries
  4. Intensive Study of Ideology
  5. Forced Confessions
  6. Success Stories
• Children and Teens on the RPF
  1. Accounts About Children and Teens from Former Adult Members
  2. References to Children on the RPF in a Scientology Document
  3. Television and Newspaper Accounts of Teenagers on the RPF
• The Impact on Some Scientologists Who Saw the RPF in Operation
• Brainwashing as a Practice in Scientology and a Concept in Sociology
• POSTSCRIPT
  • The RPF and Scientology’s Hollywood Stars
  • RPF and American Law Enforcement
  • The RPF and Human Rights Issues
• Endnotes
• Bibliography

PDF version of Dr. Kent’s paper published by Minister Ursula Caberta of the Hamburg Interior Ministry: