Submission Title
Interventions for Problem Gamblers in the Correctional System
Session Title
Session 2-3-C: Gambling and Crime
Presentation Type
Event
Location
The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Start Date
8-6-2016 2:00 PM
End Date
8-6-2016 3:30 PM
Disciplines
Mental and Social Health | Psychology | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Substance Abuse and Addiction
Abstract
The prevalence rates of problem gambling in the adult correctional population are 5 to 10 times higher than those found in the general population. The purpose of this study is to examine the type of interventions used to deal with this population. We conducted a combination of literature review and key informant study to examine the state of programming for problem gambling for clients who experience incarceration. The published literature on this topic is remarkably sparse. In fact only two peer reviewed published studies were identified that formally evaluated a treatment program for problem gambling for clients in these settings. However, we uncovered a small number of programs (10) that have been developed for and delivered to this population including a gambling treatment court in Buffalo, Gamblers Anonymous, outpatient treatment during probation or parole, brief psycho-educational programs, a full treatment program, and inpatient treatment after release. Although some programs have been delivered within correctional institution, others have been offered either after release or prior to sentencing. A major issue is the lack of awareness of problem gambling in the criminal justice system among judges, lawyers, wardens, corrections workers, parole officers and the gamblers themselves. The results are discussed in terms of stigma, barriers, issues, and opportunities for programming for this population.
Keywords
gambling, prison, treatment, qualitative research, literature review, stigma
Streaming Media
Included in
Psychology Commons, Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Interventions for Problem Gamblers in the Correctional System
The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
The prevalence rates of problem gambling in the adult correctional population are 5 to 10 times higher than those found in the general population. The purpose of this study is to examine the type of interventions used to deal with this population. We conducted a combination of literature review and key informant study to examine the state of programming for problem gambling for clients who experience incarceration. The published literature on this topic is remarkably sparse. In fact only two peer reviewed published studies were identified that formally evaluated a treatment program for problem gambling for clients in these settings. However, we uncovered a small number of programs (10) that have been developed for and delivered to this population including a gambling treatment court in Buffalo, Gamblers Anonymous, outpatient treatment during probation or parole, brief psycho-educational programs, a full treatment program, and inpatient treatment after release. Although some programs have been delivered within correctional institution, others have been offered either after release or prior to sentencing. A major issue is the lack of awareness of problem gambling in the criminal justice system among judges, lawyers, wardens, corrections workers, parole officers and the gamblers themselves. The results are discussed in terms of stigma, barriers, issues, and opportunities for programming for this population.
Comments
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Audio recording of this presentation is attached as a downloadable MP3 audio file, 61.39 MB
This presentation begins at 20:21