Addressing the Issue of Problem Gambling in the Criminal Justice System: A Series of Case Studies

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. Yet little has been published about dealing with problem gamblers in correctional settings. We conducted a literature review and interviewed 16 key informants who provide services to clients experiencing problem gambling and/or who have worked in the criminal justice system. Our objective was to gain greater understanding of programming for problem gambling for clients who are involved in the criminal justice system, with a particular focus on Ontario. 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 had been developed for, and delivered to, this population, including a gambling treatment court in Buffalo, Gamblers Anonymous, outpatient treatment during probation or parole, brief psychoeducational programs, brief therapy, a full intense treatment program, and inpatient treatment after release. We present a series of short case studies of these programs. Although some programs have been delivered within correctional institutions, 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, and parole officers. The results are discussed in terms of issues and opportunities for programming for problem gamblers in the criminal justice system.Chez la population carcérale adulte, les taux de prévalence du jeu compulsif sont de cinq à dix fois plus élevés que dans l’ensemble de la population. Pourtant, peu de choses ont été publiées sur les joueurs pathologiques en milieu correctionnel. Nous avons effectué une revue de la littérature et avons interviewé 16 informateurs clés qui fournissent des services aux clients ayant un problème de jeu ou qui ont travaillé dans le système de justice pénale. Notre objectif consistait à mieux comprendre les programmes pour traiter le jeu compulsif destinés aux clients qui ont eu des démêlés avec la justice, avec un intérêt particulier pour l’Ontario. Étonnamment, il existe très peu de publications sur ce sujet. En effet, nous n’avons trouvé que deux comptes rendus d’étude publiés et validés par un comité de lecture qui ont évalué en bonne et due forme un programme de traitement pour le jeu pathologique destiné aux clients de ce milieu. Toutefois, nous avons découvert un petit nombre de programmes (10) qui ont été élaborés à l’intention de cette population, et qui lui ont été offerts, notamment un programme judiciaire de traitement du jeu pathologique à Buffalo, le groupe d’aide Joueurs Anonymes, un traitement ambulatoire durant la probation ou la libération conditionnelle, des programmes psychopédagogiques de courte durée, une thérapie brève, un programme complet de traitement intensif et un traitement en établissement après la libération. Nous présentons une série de courtes études de cas de ces programmes. Bien que certains de ces programmes aient été offerts dans des établissements correctionnels, d’autres ont été proposés après la libération ou avant la condamnation. Le principal problème réside dans le fait que les juges, les avocats, les directeurs, les intervenants correctionnels et les agents de libération conditionnelle connaissent mal le jeu pathologique dans le cadre du système de justice pénale. Les résultats sont analysés en fonction des difficultés et des avantages des programmes destinés aux joueurs pathologiques qui ont eu des démêlés avec la justice.

Gambling behaviours and treatment uptake among vulnerable populations during COVID-19 crisis

“…The Amherst Gambling Treatment Court in New York State stands as a pioneering model for any court interested in establishing a gambling court to permit a defendant to enter a gambling diversion treatment program if a criminal judge deems, they are eligible instead of incarceration (Cohen et al, 2013). Together with the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court and a handful of other legal bodies, specialty courts are an effective way to address root-causes that lead to recidivism (Turner et al, 2017). The Nevada program has been considered as a gold-standard for gambling addiction reform and treatment, and courts from around the US have expressed interest in modeling similar programs.…”

Associations between gambling severity and criminal convictions: implications for the welfare state

“…The welfare state and its justice system could well benefit from the introduction of gambling courts, for example (see e.g. Hinshaw 2005;Guenaga 2011;Turner et al 2017;Laux 2019).…”

“…Both the connection between gambling and crime and that between gambling and social disadvantage are well established. Numerous studies have found higher rates of problem gambling among criminal offenders than in the general population (Turner and McAvoy 2011;May-Chahal et al 2017;Turner et al 2017;Moore 2018;Riley et al 2018;Lind et al 2019;Widinghoff et al 2019;Banks et al 2020). Although only a relatively small proportion of all crime is gambling-related (Arthur et al 2014), a study on British prisoners estimated that problem gambling is linked with up to 13% of all offending (May-Chahal et al 2012).…”

Exploring the Gaps in Programming for Men and Women with a Gambling Disorder in the Correctional System in Canada

“…Individuals entering the Canadian correctional systems currently undergo a battery of questionnaires at intake to assess their risk, need, and responsivity (RNR) (Andrews et al, 1986;Bonta & Andrews, 2007;Bourgon & Armstrong, 2005;Motiuk, 1997), but none of these tools assess problem gambling as either a direct or indirect risk factor. In a recent qualitative study, Turner et al (2017) used key expert interviews to describe the breadth of treatment programs that have been implemented in Canada and the United States, and while a small number of programs were identified, there are remarkably few programs set up to help people in the correctional system overcome a gambling disorder (Turner et al, 2017). The vast majority of people experiencing a gambling disorder have no access to treatment or programming services to deal with their gambling problem while incarcerated.…”

“…The limited number of correctional treatment programs for people experiencing problem gambling has been accompanied by a notable lack of evidence-based research evaluating the effectiveness of the programs that do exist (Perrone et al, 2013;Turner et al, 2017). Perrone et al (2013) note that within the correctional environment, problem gambling treatment services remain largely undocumented and unevaluated.…”