Gambling behind bars: does prison provide ideal conditions?

Abstract

While studies exist on the gambling habits of the correctional population prior to incarceration, little information exists on gambling habits during imprisonment. This article aims to describe gambling practices in Quebec prisons. The impact of prison life on these activities and their meaning will be analyzed, relying on semi-structured interviews with 51 men currently detained in three federal penitentiaries in Quebec. Contrary to our expectations, the regulations prohibiting gambling in Correctional Service of Canada institutions do not present a central obstacle to this practice. In fact, participation in gambling is limited more by elements connected to the detention institution and the sentence. The availability of certain games, more particularly card games such as poker, as well as the pleasure resulting from those games seem considerably limited in comparison with group bets like sports pools.

Gambling in Prisons – A Nationwide Polish Study of Sentenced Men

“…Gambling remains a popular form of entertainment while incarcerated (Abbott, McKenna, & Giles, 2005;Beauregard & Brochu, 2013a;Lahn & Grabosky, 2003;McEvoy & Spirgen, 2012;Turner et al, 2013;Williams et al, 2005a). In prison, gambling takes various forms, depending on the practicability of organizing them in confinement.…”

“…Studies in the United States have found the involvement of inmates in gambling activities to operate at approximately 40% of incarcerated persons (Williams, 2009). Individual games vary in terms of their popularity, with certain scholars arguing that sports betting is the most popular (Beauregard & Brochu, 2013a;McEvoy & Spirgen, 2012), while others, such as Turner and colleagues (2013), suggest that it is cards. According to Williams (2009), inmates engage in various forms of gambling (card games, bingo, sports betting, and betting on occurrences within prisons, such as the sports performance of other prisoners).…”

“…According to Williams (2009), inmates engage in various forms of gambling (card games, bingo, sports betting, and betting on occurrences within prisons, such as the sports performance of other prisoners). Scholars have recorded the seemingly limitless creativity on the part of inmates when it comes to inventing various forms of games for money; virtually any activity whose outcome can be predicted becomes the subject of a bet, and even Monopoly, dominoes, and chess can and have become gambling games (Beauregard & Brochu, 2013a).…”

“…Inmates derive certain benefits from their involvement in gambling in prison. Generally, these benefits include tangible goods, such as money, cigarettes, tobacco, commissary items, and food (Beauregard & Brochu, 2013a;Williams, 2009). Other goods that prisoners bet on are specific tasks or sexual favours (Williams, 2009).…”

“…It is treated as a form of entertainment that provides them with a sense of freedom, fun, and excitement (Williams, 2008). Inmates report that the lack of alternative options for spending their free time contributes to their engagement in illegal activities, including gambling, while in prison (Beauregard & Brochu, 2013a). McEvoy and Spirgen (2012) argued that gambling would be less popular if prisoners were provided with more pastime options.…”