March 1999

by Kelly Reynolds, Gambling Problems Resource Center

Gambling Problems Resource Center staff met with chemical dependency program staff of three Minnesota prisons, Stillwater and Lino Lakes Correctional Facilities for men and the Shakopee Correctional Facility for women, to discuss the changing needs of inmates leaving prison. Gambling Problems Resource Center and key prison staff agreed that a problem gambling awareness and prevention program could make an extremely important contribution to the inmates successful reentry.

Early recovery from chemical dependency and the major transition from prison to the outside world can make inmates particularly vulnerable to problems associated with gambling. Many inmates had previous gambling histories on the outside prior to incarceration. Many inmates had also been incarcerated prior to the availability of casino gambling, the lottery and race track and have little awareness of how much change has taken place. In response to this situation, a prevention program was developed that could be integrated as a component of the chemical dependency treatment prisoners were already receiving. The program has also been conducted at the Federal prison facilities in Rochester and Waseca.

The Gambling Problem Prevention Program has several components:

• a review of the history of gambling in Minnesota;
• the characteristics of low-risk gambling that helps inmates develop a personal set of guidelines for choices about whether, when and how much to gamble;
• signs and symptoms of a gambling problem; and
• resources for problem gambling assessment, treatment and aftercare support.

A major focus of the program helps inmates identify their potential vulnerability to developing a problem with gambling upon release. They are encouraged not to gamble for 6 months to a year along with how to reduce risk if they do decide to gamble, and how to find help for a gambling problem. The program also provides information on how to help a loved one who may be experiencing a gambling problem.

Allowing participants to interact with each other has proven to be a helpful component of the program. The following comments are from inmates who participated in the program.

"It was helpful hearing some of the problems gambling creates that I didn't know about."

"It opened my eyes to how you put in way more than you take out, you never win."

"Know when enough is enough."

"I got to understand about the seriousness and the problems that are behind gambling and what to do to get away from that addiction."

"Gambling can destroy your life just as chemicals do."

"Knowing what you're up against when getting involved with gambling and the problems."

In addition to the positive comments from participants, evaluation results indicated 84 percent were very to mostly satisfied with the Program: 86% understand the risks associated with gambling during early recovery from chemical dependency, 89% signs of a gambling problem and 92% where to get help.

While the Problem Gambling Prevention Program for prisoners is still early in it's development, a number of observations can be made: 1) the program has been easy to implement; 2) it has been well received by prison staff and inmates; and 3) it provides important and helpful information to a captive audience that is at risk for a gambling problem.

For more information about the program, please contact Kelly Reynolds, Gambling Problems Resource Center, at 1-800-247-1303 in Minnesota or 1-800-782-1878 Nationally. Kelly can also be reached by e-mail at gambling@miph.org.

Gambling Problems Resource Center
2720 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
763-427-5310