Prison Playing Cards aim to give police a winning hand on Cold Cases: Spence
Published Friday, 15 February, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Playing cards displaying the faces of cold case victims will hit the decks in some Queensland Prisons this week.
Police and Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said the cards aim to jog the memories of prisoners who might have information about unsolved murders and missing persons.
“Police never give up on these cases,” Ms Spence said.
“Our prisons can be hot-beds of information. These cards will serve to remind prisoners about unsolved cases, and offer the chance for them to provide information to crime stoppers, with a designated crime stoppers telephone line added to the prison phone system.
“If we can give closure to the families of victims, by obtaining information from prisoners, this initiative will be a success.
“Development of the cards was initiated by police in the Southern Region who wanted to come up with new ways to solve cold cases, in conjunction with the Darling Downs Crime Stoppers branch.
“Similar playing cards have proved effective in United States prisons, where significant and serious crimes have been solved as a result of prisoners providing information after being prompted by the cards.”
Ms Spence said the cards will first be distributed at Arthur Gorrie and Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centres, and the Toowoomba Watchhouse.
“510 packs of cards have been printed, along with 20 posters to be displayed in the Correctional Centres, displaying the victims names and faces and the crime stoppers number,” Ms Spence said.
“The cards represent $9.85 Million in government funded rewards, offered for information leading to the conviction of an offender.
“If the cards prove a success with increased calls to crime stoppers, we will consider distributing them in others centres throughout the state.
“The families of victims displayed on the cards have shown strong support for this initiative.
“These people are holding out hope that someone, even a prisoner, may provide the crucial piece of information to solve the mystery surrounding their loved one’s death or disappearance.”
Ms Spence said some of the cases on the cards have remained unsolved for over 40 years.
“This government has funded rewards of up to $250,000 for information regarding a number of these unsolved crimes.
“The disappearance of Daniel Morcombe in 2003, the disappearance and suspected murder of Sharron Phillips in 1986 and the disappearance and suspected murder of Julie-Ann Gallon in 1990 are all cases police are desperate to solve.
“Anyone who has information in relation to these cases should call crime stoppers, and may be eligible for significant rewards if their information leads to the arrest and conviction of an offender.
“This is not just about solving horrendous crimes, it is about providing closure for the victim’s loved ones, so they can try to move on with their lives.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218
Police and Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said the cards aim to jog the memories of prisoners who might have information about unsolved murders and missing persons.
“Police never give up on these cases,” Ms Spence said.
“Our prisons can be hot-beds of information. These cards will serve to remind prisoners about unsolved cases, and offer the chance for them to provide information to crime stoppers, with a designated crime stoppers telephone line added to the prison phone system.
“If we can give closure to the families of victims, by obtaining information from prisoners, this initiative will be a success.
“Development of the cards was initiated by police in the Southern Region who wanted to come up with new ways to solve cold cases, in conjunction with the Darling Downs Crime Stoppers branch.
“Similar playing cards have proved effective in United States prisons, where significant and serious crimes have been solved as a result of prisoners providing information after being prompted by the cards.”
Ms Spence said the cards will first be distributed at Arthur Gorrie and Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centres, and the Toowoomba Watchhouse.
“510 packs of cards have been printed, along with 20 posters to be displayed in the Correctional Centres, displaying the victims names and faces and the crime stoppers number,” Ms Spence said.
“The cards represent $9.85 Million in government funded rewards, offered for information leading to the conviction of an offender.
“If the cards prove a success with increased calls to crime stoppers, we will consider distributing them in others centres throughout the state.
“The families of victims displayed on the cards have shown strong support for this initiative.
“These people are holding out hope that someone, even a prisoner, may provide the crucial piece of information to solve the mystery surrounding their loved one’s death or disappearance.”
Ms Spence said some of the cases on the cards have remained unsolved for over 40 years.
“This government has funded rewards of up to $250,000 for information regarding a number of these unsolved crimes.
“The disappearance of Daniel Morcombe in 2003, the disappearance and suspected murder of Sharron Phillips in 1986 and the disappearance and suspected murder of Julie-Ann Gallon in 1990 are all cases police are desperate to solve.
“Anyone who has information in relation to these cases should call crime stoppers, and may be eligible for significant rewards if their information leads to the arrest and conviction of an offender.
“This is not just about solving horrendous crimes, it is about providing closure for the victim’s loved ones, so they can try to move on with their lives.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218