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

• Author: Farah Jindani,Steve Cook,Jing Shi,Steve McAvoy,Chris Myers,Flora I. Matheson,Mark van der Maas,Sherald Sanchez,Peter Ferentzy,Nigel E. Turner
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211013743
• Published date: 01 October 2022
• Date: 01 October 2022
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211013743

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2022, Vol. 66(13-14) 1366 –1386

© The Author(s) 2021

Article reuse guidelines:

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X211013743

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Article

Exploring the Gaps in

Programming for Men and

Women with a Gambling

Disorder in the Correctional

System in Canada

Farah Jindani1,2, Steve Cook3, Jing Shi1,

Steve McAvoy1, Chris Myers4, Flora I. Matheson5,6,

Mark van der Maas7, Sherald Sanchez1,

Peter Ferentzy1, and Nigel E. Turner1,6

Abstract

The prevalence of problem gambling in the correctional system is about 10 times

higher than in the general population, but programming for gambling problems in the

correctional system is scarce. Examined barriers to treatment for problem gamblers

in the correctional system, sex or gender differences, and options for program

design. We conducted interviews with 16 experts who had worked with problem

gamblers in the correctional system and analyzed the data in terms of themes. For

barriers, the experts discussed a lack of awareness about problem gambling, as well

as stigmatization and lockdowns. Experts described the content of current programs

as equally applicable to both men and women, but that emotional components

were more important for women. Finally, the experts had mixed views on whether

programming should be integrated with other programs such as substance abuse.

Programming implications for this population are discussed.

1Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada

2Seneca college, Toronto

3University of Michigan, USA

4Addiction & Mental Health Services—Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, ON, Canada

5St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

6University of Toronto, ON, Canada

7Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

Corresponding Author:

Nigel E. Turner, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,

33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada.

Email: nigel.turner@camh.ca

1013743IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X211013743International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyJindani et al.

research-article2021

Jindani et al. 1367

Keywords

problem gambling, offenders, treatment, criminal behavior, qualitative research,

correctional system

Introduction

In a review of the literature on gambling problems amongst people with criminal jus-

tice involvement (P-CJI) Williams et al. (2005) found that the prevalence for both men

and women ranged from 17% to 60%, with an average of around 33% across all sam-

ples. Williams et al. (2005) define problem gamblers as including both Disordered

Gamblers (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) as well as sub-clinical

cases. These data were collected mostly in the UK, Australia, and the USA. Similar

prevalence estimates have been found in more recent studies in the UK (May-Chahal

et al., 2012) and in Canada (Turner et al., 2009, 2013b). For example, Turner et al.

(2009, 2013b) found that nearly one quarter of P-CJI in Canada had a gambling prob-

lem including 9% who had a Gambling Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria (Turner

et al., 2016). These figures are up to 10 times higher than those found in the general

population (Turner et al., 2013b). Nonetheless there is a lack of treatment services for

P-CJI with gambling problems. The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers and

other issues related to providing treatment and prevention services for P-CJI with

gambling problems in the correctional system in Canada. To do this we interviewed a

panel of experts who work with problem gamblers in the correctional system.

Research indicates that income-generating crimes such as theft and fraud are

most often associated with a gambling disorder (Adolphe et al., 2019; Turner et al.,

2009), suggesting that some people who gamble may engage in criminal behavior

when legal sources of paying off debts become exhausted (Lesieur & Custer, 1984).

Studies have shown that problem gamblers were most likely to report having engaged

in income-producing crimes such as theft, break and entry, and fraud (Adolphe et al.,

2019; Brown, 1987; Turner et al., 2009). However, some gamblers also engage in

violent crimes (Adolphe et al., 2019). The cyclical nature of gambling and criminal

behavior was summarized succinctly by one incarcerated person with problematic

gambling, who stated that “gambling leads to debt, debt leads to crime, and around

it goes” (Turner et al., 2009). Criminal behavior may be a result of a number of fac-

tors such as a lack of self-control, opportunity, social inequity, or other factors

(Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990; Grasmick et al., 1993; Rufrancos et al., 2013; Welte

et al., 2004). However, it is argued that a gambling problem may increase crimino-

genic and recidivism risk (Meyer & Fabian, 1992; Robinson et al., 2001; Turner

et al., 2009, 2013b; Williams et al., 2005). In addition, research on correctional treat-

ment has generally shown problem gambling treatment programs to reduce recidi-

vism (Bourgon & Armstrong, 2005).

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