Twelve months later, and being subjected to a course of intensive interrogations, re-indoctrination, sleep deprivation, filthy, heavy and demeaning work details and snubbed by former comrades on a daily basis, she was still there. She saw little hope of an end to the process, no way to escape the regime, and in a black fit of despair, decided to kill herself.

One afternoon, I had just driven back the Crowborough camp; I saw an ambulance and people in a tizzy and running around. I was told by a white-faced college that Alice had ran out of the RPF indoctrination room, gone to the workshop, found a tin of paint thinner, swallowed it then climbed up on top of the gym roof, a fifteen-foot high structure surrounded by concrete. She jumped.

Saint Hill Manor is the home of Scientology in the UK, being one of just five Advanced Orgs in the world and former home of L Ron Hubbard himself. While the Manor is staffed by Sea Org members, their accomodation is elsewhere, in nearby Walsh Manor near Crowborough.

Walsh Manor provides accomodation for around 300-400 Sea Org members. It is also home of the Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF), Scientology’s internal penal system. RPF members are deprived of almost all personal liberties, must carry out unsafe and exhausting work, may only speak when spoken to, and are fed on the leftovers of the (already meagre) rations given to regular Sea Org members.

Sea Org members, including RPFers, are sent to Saint Hill Manor every day by minibus to carry out physical labour around the estate. This is combined with Scientology training. Food is reportedly limited to porridge, three times a day.

In 2006, Crowborough Councillor Michael Murphy caused controversy when he requested that Scientologists be prevented from volunteering at council events until an investigation had been held into conditions at Walsh Manor.

Saint Hill Manor, the headquarters of Scientology, was compared to one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces at a Crowborough Town Council committee meeting this week.

Cllr Michael Murphy demanded the council should seek further information into the “”church”" of Scientology before it uses its voluntary services.

Cllr Murphy, who reiterated that he does not discriminate against anyone, referred to newspaper allegations of improper conduct by Scientologists particularly at Walsh Manor, Crowborough, where some 350 scientologists live.

He claimed workers at the manor always looked “pained and exhausted” and how one remarked “I would have loved it if the police moved in and let us all go”.

As ever, the cult is notoriously secretive about what goes on inside its premises. But it cannot hide forever.

Further info:
- Scientology’s Fanatical Military – one girl’s time in the Sea Org and the RPF.
- Saint Hill Manor compared to one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces – Crowborough Town Council
- Secrets Of Saint Hill
- OFSTED report into Walsh Manor School (.pdf)
- Anonymous visits Walsh Manor.
- Discussion at exscn.net
- Previous article on the RPF
- Brainwashing in Scientology’s Rehabilitation Project Force.