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Inmates Get Help to Break Gambling Habits15 June 2004OREGON – As reported by Statesman Journal: ``Breaking the link between compulsive gambling and crime is the lofty aim of a trailblazing treatment program recently launched at Oregon's prison for female offenders. ``Theresa O'conner, 36, hopes that the counseling program will help salvage her life. She is doing time for shoplifting clothes from a Nordstrom store to feed her video-poker habit. ``…Compulsive gambling is a destructive, crime-generating factor in the lives of many female offenders, a survey of 120 Coffee Creek inmates shows. ``The study found that 20 percent to 30 percent of the female prisoners have histories of problem gambling. In comparison, problem gambling afflicts 2 percent to 3 percent of all Oregonians. ``…Coffee Creek, housing 900 female offenders, is the first prison within the state's 12,200-inmate corrections system to provide inmates with counseling and other assistance designed to help them control problem gambling…" ``The program is offered to inmates nearing their prison release dates. They can sign up for the four-week Gambling Evaluation and Reduction Program. Participants attend weekly 90-minute group sessions with a gambling counselor…" |