“Give them a chance!” The social representation of the counsellor’s institutional role in prison-based drug treatment programmes in Finland.

Tourunen, Jouni; Kaskela, Teemu

doi:10.7146/ntfk.v101i2.70169

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In order to ensure that this basic requirement is met, it is necessary to have mechanisms in place for the early detection of problems, to increase general awareness of gambling problems, and to provide clear intervention guidelines for prison staff. As problem gambling often remains undetected and prison workers are trained and motivated to help (Tourunen and Kaskela, 2014; Turner et al , 2017) and to look for signs of risky behaviors, prisons are a potentially important environment for effective intervention. The reception of the results of our pilot study was very positive at all levels of the Criminal Sanctions Agency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Problem gambling and support preferences among Finnish prisoners: a pilot study in an adult correctional population

Lind¹,

Salonen²,

Järvinen-Tassopoulos

et al. 2019

IJPH

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence of potential problem gambling among Finnish prisoners; the associations between problem gambling and demographics, substance use and crime-related factors; and problem gamblers’ support preferences. Design/methodology/approach Prisoners (n=96) from two Finnish prisons were recruited between December 2017 and January 2018. The estimated response rate was 31 percent. Gambling problems were measured using the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen. The participants were asked to report their gambling both for one year prior to their incarceration and for the past year. The independent variables were demographics (age, gender and marital status), substance use (alcohol, smoking and narcotics) and crime-related factors (crime type, prison type and previous sentence). Statistical significance (p) was determined using Fischer’s exact test. Findings Past-year pre-conviction problem gambling prevalence was 16.3 percent and past-year prevalence 15 percent. Age, gender, smoking, alcohol or illicit drug use were not associated with past-year problem gambling before sentencing. One-third of the prisoners (33.3 percent) who were sentenced for a property crime, financial crime or robbery were problem gamblers. One-quarter (24 percent) of all participants showed an interest in receiving support by identifying one or more support preferences. The most preferred type of support was group support in its all forms. Research limitations/implications It is recommended that correctional institutions undertake systematic screening for potential problem gambling, and implement tailored intervention programs for inmates with gambling problems. Originality/value This study provides a deeper understanding of problem gambling in prisons. Problem gambling is associated with crime and also seems to be linked with serving a previous sentence. Early detection and tailored interventions for problem gambling may help to reduce reoffending rates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Problem gambling and support preferences among Finnish prisoners: a pilot study in an adult correctional population

Lind¹,

Salonen²,

Järvinen-Tassopoulos

et al. 2019

IJPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Prison workers are well-motivated to help prisoners (Tourunen and Kaskela 2014), but little is known about how well they are equipped to provide help when it comes to problem gambling or related issues. In Finland, there are currently no standardized screening practices in place for the detection of problem gambling when people enter the correctional system, nor any systems for those in need of support or treatment.…”

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confidence: 99%

How to Support Prison Workers’ Perceived Readiness to Identify and Respond to Possible Gambling Problems: a Pilot Study from Two Finnish Prisons

Castrén

Lind

Järvinen-Tassopoulos

et al. 2019

Int J Ment Health Addiction

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Problem gambling is known to be prevalent among prisoners. However, it is not systematically screened and often remains undetected. This pilot study explores prison workers' (N = 21) knowledge, views, and opinions about problem gambling in two Finnish prisons with a view to improving training and to developing better guidelines for identifying and responding to gambling problems. Four-fifths (81%) of prison workers considered problem gambling a serious issue in Finland. During the past year, more than nine in ten (94.1%) had encountered a prisoner with a gambling problem. Problem gambling was identified in connection with discussions about prisoners' illegal activity (50%), financial situation (25%), or other problems (25%). Nearly half of the participants felt they did not have adequate training or information about problem gambling and related issues and expressed an interest in continuing education. This pilot study provides important direction for the development of tailored training programs for prison workers. The next step is to increase awareness of gambling programs in a wider national context and to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs.

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Facing drug problems and advancing sentence plan. Prisoners’ perspectives on drug treatment programmes in Finland

Kaskela

Tourunen

2017

International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justi

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“Give them a chance!” The social representation of the counsellor’s institutional role in prison-based drug treatment programmes in Finland.

Abstract: See abstract in article.

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Problem gambling and support preferences among Finnish prisoners: a pilot study in an adult correctional population

Problem gambling and support preferences among Finnish prisoners: a pilot study in an adult correctional population

How to Support Prison Workers’ Perceived Readiness to Identify and Respond to Possible Gambling Problems: a Pilot Study from Two Finnish Prisons

Facing drug problems and advancing sentence plan. Prisoners’ perspectives on drug treatment programmes in Finland

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