Solutions to the Problem Solutions to the Problem Gambling and Crime Gambling and Crime

ConnectionConnection

Henry R. Lesieur, Ph.D.

Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital

Crime Rates Among Crime Rates Among Pathological GamblersPathological Gamblers

GA & treatment Studies -- 50-67%Helpline Study of Problem Gamblers --

20% admitted crime and 11.5% arrestedNORC study -- general population --

32% of PGs arrested for any crime

Prevalence of Offenses -- Prevalence of Offenses -- German Study -- Percent German Study -- Percent

59

3528

89

22

52

6 30

20

40

60

80

100

LT Crime PY Crime Arrest Conviction

Meyer & Stadler, 1999

PG

Non-PG

Crime Types Among Crime Types Among Pathological GamblersPathological Gamblers

Forgery, Fraud, Theft, EmbezzlementTax violations (fraud & evasion)Illegal Gambling operationLess common: Burglary, Armed robbery,

Drug Sales, Fencing Stolen Goods, Prostitution, Extortion

Psychologist as Expert Psychologist as Expert WitnessWitness

Reviews Materials from CourtInterviews Offender and othersEvaluates Mental StatusEvaluates for Mental DisordersConducts Psychological TestsWrites Report

Psychologist as Expert Psychologist as Expert Witness - 2Witness - 2

Examines issues not covered by pre-sentence investigation

-- Emotional Issues-- Family Dysfunction-- Co-occurring Disorders-- Coping Skills

Psychologist as Expert Psychologist as Expert Witness - 3Witness - 3

Examines work history (positives as well as negatives)

Social supportsGambling ProgressionCognitive DistortionsPersonality Disorder (especially ASPD)

Action/Escape Action/Escape PhasePhase

ACTION -- become involved; good at it; exciting; early success; bolster self-esteem by gambling; wins=internally produced; losses=externally produced

ESCAPE -- gambling to escape from problems, loneliness, depression, anxiety, trauma; gambling = time out, time away from problems

Losing/Chasing Losing/Chasing Phase Phase

ACTION gambler finds losing intolerable; CHASE after bad beats & serious losses

ESCAPE gambler finds “time out” is expensive

BOTH use up options for obtaining money as their involvement increases

New Money = Big Win

Cycles in the Spiral ofCycles in the Spiral ofOptions and InvolvementOptions and Involvement

1. Get Money

2. “Moving,” “Manipulating,”

or “Juggling” Money

3. Tightening of Resources

(Closure) and Need to

Make Moral Decision

Desperation Desperation Phase Phase

Job & Family Disaster AreasIllegal Activities (CG Spiral)Obsession with Getting Out of Trouble

Overtakes ExcitementEscapes into Gambling Yet No ReliefSerious bouts with DepressionSuicide Attempts

HopelessHopeless Phase Phase

Getting Even Not

PossibleNo Longer CareKnow They Will LoseContinual State of DepressionPlaying for Action is All That Matters

Considerations Before Considerations Before Turning To CrimeTurning To Crime

1. Opportunity2. External Agents of Social Control (Police, Family)3. Beliefs & Justifications4. Closing of Available Options5. Threat (to self-esteem, financial threat, Physical threat)

CRIME AND CRIME AND STRESSSTRESS

Stress of Gambling Stress of Financial Pressures Stress of Impact on Family Work-related StressProduce: Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive

Distortions that Impair Judgment and Decision-Making

Moral Justifications and Moral Justifications and Illegal ActivityIllegal Activity

Actions PerceivedMorality

Justifications

Hustle pool;Bookmaker;Petty larceny

Totally moral Belief orSituation

Forge Checks;Assist inBurglary

PartiallyImmoral

PartialJustification/Excuse

Robbery Immoral Excuses only

Social AttachmentSocial Attachment(Meyer & Stadler)(Meyer & Stadler)

Change in Living ConditionRelationship to ParentsParental Education MethodsEmotional & Social AttachmentInvolvement in Conventional ActivitiesBelief in Social Rules

Addiction Pressures Addiction Pressures for Crimefor Crime

(Meyer & Stadler)(Meyer & Stadler)Severity of Pathological GamblingCravings to GambleDuration of GamblingDebt & Income/Loss RatioEmotional & Family ProblemsType and Frequency of Gambling

Personality and CrimePersonality and Crime(Meyer & Stadler)(Meyer & Stadler)

Aggressiveness Extroversion Impulsivity; Risk-MotivationAntisocial PersonalityFrankness; EmotionalityGlobal Mental Status

Social Attachment

Personality

Addiction Criminal Behavior

.33

.52

.25

.63

.04

.48

Crime: Meyer & Crime: Meyer & StadlerStadler

The Five “R”sThe Five “R”s

Remorse – evidence of feelings Repentance – evidence of lifestyle changes.

What is different? Job situation, marriage, etc. Restitution plan. Is it realistic? Recovery – treatment plan for recovery. Give

details and dates. Evidence of compliance Rehabilitation – evidence of change in attitude.

Volunteer work, community service, spiritual life style change

US Courts & US Courts & Pathological GamblingPathological Gambling

Insanity Defense Argued in 1980s (PG does not apply)

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Diminished Capacity and Downward

Departure“Significantly Reduced Mental Capacity”

Minnesota Rule 82 Minnesota Rule 82 Pathological GamblingPathological Gambling

Offenders Convicted of Felony Theft, Embezzlement & Forgery

PO Screens using SOGS17% SOGS 5+Sent for Gambling Assessment

Conditions of Conditions of Probation for Probation for

Pathological GamblersPathological Gamblers

Abstinence from Gambling Attendance at GA Community Service Gambling Counseling Restitution Orders How about Exclusion?

Gambling CourtGambling Court

Modeled after Drug CourtsBuffalo, New York26th Judicial Court in LouisianaProposed in Florida

Gambling Court - 2Gambling Court - 2

Eligibility Criteria Pathological Gamblers First Offenders Non-violent No drug dealers No sex offenders

Gambling Court - 5Gambling Court - 5

Recommendations possible depend on what treatment is available

Inpatient treatment (Louisiana only) Intensive Outpatient day treatment Halfway House Outpatient treatment Gamblers Anonymous

Gambling Court - 8Gambling Court - 8

No Evaluations of gambling courts conducted to date

Drug Courts show 45-50% graduation rates

Drug Courts show reduced recidivism in two-thirds of the courts evaluated

Pathological Gambling Pathological Gambling among Prisonersamong Prisoners

Conducted a Meta-analysis of 10 Studies 19.6% of prisoners level 3 gamblers

(probable PGs)Gamblers higher criminalityHigher rate of psychopathyHigher rate of DepressionHigher Rate of SUD

Gambling in PrisonsGambling in Prisons

Play Cards for CigarettesBet on Horses with prison bookiesSports Betting-- Sell drugs to pay for gambling-- Bet with $$ on outside-- Get into Fights-- Provide services to pay gambling

Recommendations for Recommendations for CJS and Pathological CJS and Pathological

GamblingGambling

1. Educate & train CJS personnel2. Explore Gambling Courts3. Evaluate and Assess Offenders on Pre-trial basis4. GA meetings in Prisons5. PG Treatment with trained counselors6. Community Service by ex-prisoners at prison GA

meetings