Editing Timothy Leary (section)

==== Concord Prison Experiment ====
Leary argued that [[psychedelic substance]]s—in proper doses, a stable setting, and under the guidance of psychologists—could benefit behavior in ways not easily obtained by regular therapy. He experimented in treating [[alcoholism]] and reforming criminals, and many of his subjects said they had profound [[mysticism|mystical]] and spiritual experiences that permanently improved their lives.{{sfnp|Leary|1969}}

The [[Concord Prison Experiment]] evaluated the use of psilocybin and psychotherapy in the rehabilitation of released prisoners. Thirty-six prisoners were reported to have repented and sworn off criminality after Leary and his associates guided them through the psychedelic experience. The overall [[recidivism]] rate for American prisoners was 60%, whereas the rate for those in Leary's project reportedly dropped to 20%. The experimenters concluded that long-term reduction in criminal recidivism could be effected with a combination of psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy (inside the prison) along with a comprehensive post-release follow-up support program modeled on [[Alcoholics Anonymous]].{{sfnp|Metzner|Weil|1963}}{{sfnp|Metzner|1965}}