NSW Police have partnered with Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) to introduce playing cards into the State’s jails that feature images of victims of cold case murders.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the initiative aimed to generate new leads for police investigations by circulating crucial information about suspected victims among inmates who may have knowledge of the crimes.
“This format has already had success in the United States and other jurisdictions here in Australia, and we have worked collaboratively under Operation Veritas for almost two years to ensure we get it right,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“We know inmates often share details of their crimes or those committed by associates with others; this is about capitalising on that and generating new information to progress these cases.”
He said each playing deck contained cards with a photograph and information about an unsolved homicide or suspicious disappearance.
CSNSW Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said the cards were produced and distributed by inmates working at Corrective Services Industries (CSI).
“We are proud to be part of an initiative which sees our talented CSI overseers equip inmates with new skills to improve their prospects of rehabilitation and employability upon release,” Commissioner Corcoran said.
Backing the program, Minister for Police, Paul Toole said the initiative had been planned over many years in close consultation with victims’ families and in partnership with Crime Stoppers and the Homicide Victims’ Support Group.
