GamCare has inked an agreement with Interventions Alliance in a partnership that will provide a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy intervention for people in the Criminal Justice System.
In an effort to reduce gambling-related harm and reoffending, Interventions Alliance, which is part of the Seetec Group, aims to provide an array of programmes targeted at individuals on their rehabilitation journey.
Moreover, the aforementioned programmes are said to provide a wide range of support and services from skills training to employment support.
“We are delighted to announce this partnership with GamCare as we believe there is vital work to be done to support those in the Criminal Justice System who have a gambling addiction,” commented Suki Binning, Chief Social Worker and Executive Director, Interventions Alliance.
“Research on gambling addictions show that those with a gambling addiction are more likely to commit crime, so this intervention is one part of the solution.”
As part of the partnership, the programme offers people eight sessions of structured CBT in a group format, that focuses on exploring harmful gambling, its impacts, links to gambling and crime and supporting change.
Binning continued: “This programme will offer the structured support that those with a gambling addiction desperately need. Our specialists will help participants to recognise their addiction and its impact, including the risks to those around them and themselves.
“This programme could therefore have a significant impact on improving the mental health of participants, as part of our overall approach to reducing re-offending.”
A study from 2017 detailed that there was a higher prevalence of gambling harms in prison populations compared to the national population. GamCare also noted that there is, at present, a lack of gambling treatment and support available for people in the Criminal Justice System.
The programme will be an opportunity to test and pilot a new approach to supporting people with gambling issues, building on the work that has already been done in relation to gambling and Criminal Justice support over recent years at GamCare and its network partners and other providers and working groups.
This new programme will complement and add to that work and pilots, by creating new opportunities and partnerships that will enable further support, learning and insights gathering.
Anna Hemmings, CEO at GamCare, added: “We are excited to work with Interventions Alliance on this new partnership. It provides a valuable opportunity to build on the work we already do, combining our gambling support with their criminal justice and offending behaviour expertise.
“We hope this new programme will help tackle the stigma and ultimately reduce gambling related harm in the Criminal Justice System and, by extension, the community.”
