Rhode Island parole board opposes casino

RHODE ISLAND – As reported by the Providence Journal: "The Rhode Island Parole Board – which has never taken a stance on a political issue before – has come out against the proposed West Warwick casino.

"In the past few years, there has been 'a steady stream' of gambling-related criminals that have come before the Parole Board, the board said in a letter to several area newspapers. All seven members of the board signed the letter in their official capacities.

"Board Chairwoman Lisa S. Holley said yesterday that 'we've really been watching this and seen it grow and grow and grow.'

"…The board has no data to back up its observations, but Holley said its members had plenty of anecdotal evidence and have been on the board long enough to see a growing trend. Board members also read national studies about gambling addictions and crime.

"…Harrah's Entertainment and the Narragansett Indian tribe, which are trying to build the casino, said that board was using 'peculiar information that is neither fact-based nor statistically significant.'…"