Oklahoma prisons selling cold case playing cards to inmates
By Ken Miller
The Associated Press
Posted October 11, 2017 6:48 pm EST
1 min read
This article is more than 7 years old and some information may not be up to date.
Playing cards featuring unsolved and unidentified homicides or missing person cases are displayed at Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017.
AP Photo/Ken Miller
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma authorities are hoping to solve unsolved killings and other cold cases by selling decks of playing cards that feature the cases to prisoners.
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The state Bureau of Investigation and state Department of Correction showcased the cards Wednesday. The decks are reminiscent of those distributed in 2003 to help U.S. troops identify members of Saddam Hussein‘s government during the Iraq War.
Bureau of Investigation Director Stan Florence says similar programs in Florida, Colorado, Connecticut and South Carolina have garnered information that helped solve about 40 homicides.
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This Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017 photo shows Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's unsolved Homicides & Missing Persons Playing Cards in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Director and Oklahoma Department of Correction Director have joined to sell the state prison inmates the playing cards.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation via AP
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Playing cards featuring unsolved and unidentified homicides or missing person cases are displayed at Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017.
AP Photo/Ken Miller
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Playing cards featuring unsolved and unidentified homicides or missing person cases are displayed at Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017.
AP Photo/Ken Miller
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The cards are being sold at six of the state’s approximately two dozen prisons at $1.42 per pack and will eventually be the only playing cards available at the other facilities.