[DHS-Stakeholders] News Release: New program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility helps inmates with gambling problems

[JOYCE Lisa R]

New program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility helps inmates with gambling
problems

Contact:  Nadine Jelsing, (503) 945-5950
Program Contact:  Jeff Marotta, Ph.D., DHS Problem Gambling Services Manager,
(503) 945-9709

Preliminary data from Oregon's first program to help female inmates overcome
an addiction to gambling suggests a high incidence of gambling-related crime. 

"This is a ground-breaking program," says Jeffrey J. Marotta, Ph.D., problem
gambling services manager in the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).
"It's the first time we've ever assessed problem gambling in a correctional
setting." 

To investigate the relationship between problem gambling and female criminal
offenders, 120 female inmates at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in
Wilsonville were surveyed and their responses showed that 20 percent to 30
percent had a history of problem gambling and 86 percent of the problem
gamblers admitted to committing crimes related to gambling. 

"Aside from a casino at 2 a.m., there's a higher proportion of problem
gamblers in prison than almost anywhere else," says Marotta. "It only makes
sense to bring our services to where they are needed.  Our intervention
targets inmates who have vulnerabilities related to gambling and are about to
be released into an Oregon landscape that is filled with gambling
opportunities and enticements.  This program is designed to help these people
succeed in improving their lives by staying free of gambling problems."

Problem gamblers are defined as people whose gambling compromises or damages
their personal, family or vocational pursuits. Problem gambling has a wide
severity spectrum from occasional overspending to a severe addiction. Problem
gamblers usually hide their problem due to shame and lack of awareness. Left
untreated, problem gambling can devastate lives, finances and families.  

 "While there are a few other programs in the country that offer gambling
services for inmates," says Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Program Manager,
Peter Walsh, "I believe our program is the only one that is open to inmates
who don't directly have a gambling problem but need help in dealing with a
family member's problem."  

According to Walsh, there's been enthusiastic class participation, and inmates
say it's a needed and valuable service. 

"I prostituted myself, did identity theft, sold dope to get gambling money.
I'd spend all the money and start all over again," says one female inmate who
completed the program.   

"I am so grateful this program has come to Coffee Creek - I need it
desperately," says another.

During a preliminary informational meeting, certified problem gambling
counselors meet with inmates in a pre-release program and explain what problem
gambling is and how to recognize it. Following the meeting, inmates can sign
up for the four-week program - called Gambling Evaluation and Reduction
Program (GEAR) - that includes weekly 90-minute group sessions with a gambling
counselor and homework from a self-help manual.  

The project is a partnership between DHS, the Oregon Department of Corrections
and Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare. One of the objectives of the program is to
examine the relationship between gambling and criminal offending and to help
prevent inmates from re-offending in the future.  

"We're very pleased to partner with DHS and Cascadia to bring this pilot
project to Coffee Creek," says Lory Humbert, assistant superintendent for
program services. "It's giving many women the tools and skills they need to
deal with their own or a family member's gambling problems prior to release
which could ultimately reduce recidivism - and make Oregon a safer place to
live."  

The GEAR program at Coffee Creek is funded by state lottery money earmarked
for gambling treatment and prevention programs. It has been offered at Coffee
Creek since March. Thirteen women have graduated from the program. Eight women
are currently enrolled.   
A presentation about the program will be made later this week at the National
Conference on Problem Gambling in Phoenix.

Free and confidential problem gambling treatment for gamblers and family
members of problem gamblers is also available to the general public by calling
1-
877-2-STOP NOW (877-278-6766).

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