В тюрьме Алабамы запустили проект: карточные игры помогут раскрыть старые уголовные дела

WETUMPKA, Ala. ( WSFA ) - What if a simple game of playing cards could provide the vital lead needed to solve an Alabama cold case? That is exactly what a new initiative in Elmore County is attempting to do, transforming a popular jailhouse pastime into an active tool for justice. The concept is straightforward: replace standard playing cards inside the Elmore County Jail with custom decks featuring the photographs, names, and key details of missing persons and unsolved homicide victims. For inmates at the Elmore County Jail, card games are a major part of daily routine. Now, local officials are hoping those same games might jog someone’s memory. “I came up with the idea,” said Lieutenant Kevin Chavis of the Elmore County Jail. “They just want playing cards; they don’t care what’s on them.” Each card in the deck will display a victim’s photograph alongside a summary of their case. The cards will be distributed directly to inmates in the hope that constant exposure to these faces will spark a conversation or trigger a long-forgotten detail. “Whenever the inmates play cards, they see the picture and the info on the bottom of the card,” Lt. Chavis explained. “If it rattles somebody’s brain and they think, ‘Man, I’ve heard about this before’... If one deck of cards helps generate one credible lead that brings closure to a family, then that is an effort worth exploring to me.” If an inmate recognizes a face or recalls information about a case, they can submit a tip directly to CrimeStoppers. Lt. Chavis noted that some of the featured crimes date back more than 20 years, making jailhouse intelligence incredibly valuable. The Reality of Corrections: “Throughout my 15 years in corrections, inmates have brought a lot of information to me,” Lt. Chavis said. “You’ve got a jail full of criminals... and they’ve got a lot of criminal information.” No Cost to Taxpayers: The playing cards won’t cost the state or county a dime. The custom decks are fully funded through the non-profit group Alabama Cold Case Advocacy. The Bottom Line: “It’s expensive,” Lt. Chavis admitted, “but I feel like if we can solve one case, it will be well worth it.” Once approved by Sheriff’s offices across the state, the goal is to produce and distribute thousands of decks to correctional facilities statewide. Production is scheduled to begin in October, with distribution following shortly after. To learn more about the initiative or to support the organization behind the decks, click here. Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!