PENDLETON — In what officials say is the first program of its kind in the nation, the Indiana Department of Correction and Crime Stoppers are teaming up to encourage inmates to give anonymous tips about unsolved crimes.
Short segments about unsolved felonies will be broadcast via closed-circuit televisions located in the prison. Inmates at the medium-security Correctional Industrial Facility would then be able to anonymously call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana if they have information. If the tip leads to an arrest, the inmates could get cash rewards of up to $1,000, which are raised through donations.
The program began several weeks ago, but was officially unveiled to the public at a press conference Dec. 22.
Tom Kern, program director for Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana, said the segments consist of a photo, suspect sketch or surveillance image of someone suspected of committing a crime. A brief synopsis of the crime is also given. The information is the same as what is on Crime Stoppers’ Web site.
And officials have the benefit of a captive audience.
“All the cases the inmates see are the same cases the general public can see,” Kern said. “People talk. Maybe they knew someone who committed a murder.”
If the program is successful, organizers hope to spread it to other prisons across the state. They also hope to bring in other Crime Stoppers organizations into the fold, Kern said. Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana includes Marion County and 16 surrounding counties, but not Madison.
“As we get it nailed down, and all the kinks worked out, we’ll reach out to other Crime Stoppers in the state,” he said.
Kern said organizers don’t believe inmates will be less inclined to offer anonymous tips on fellow criminals. Offenders use the prison phones to call a special number to contact Crime Stoppers. If they become eligible for a reward, someone on the outside has to get it for them.
“It works, getting anonymous information,” he said. “So why not try getting it from these guys?”
Tim Horan, prison spokesman, is hopeful the program will generate some useful crime-fighting information. Like Kern, he said he’s confident inmates won’t hesitate to offer tips. He said inmates already offer valuable information on fellow offenders behind bars, such as giving tips on who has a cell phone or drugs in their cell.
“I think it will work,” Horan said. “It’s confidential. There’s no caller ID. It’s paid in cash. I think it will work. It’s another way for people to network information.”
------
On the Web:
To learn about Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana, including unsolved cases, visit www.crimetips.org
Have a tip?
Contact Anderson Area Crime Stoppers, the local organization, at (765) 649-8310. Call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS or (800) 92-ALERT.
Pendleton News
December 31, 2008
News (Dec. 31): Crime Stoppers, DOC teaming up
- Pendleton News
-
-
Judge: Ordinance necessary after repeated drunkenness
Pendleton Town Council President Don Henderson said he and other council members were shocked to learn an ordinance banning people from attending town court was necessary.
-
Pendleton prisoner hospitalized after fight
A Pendleton prison inmate and a guard were taken to the hospital Wednesday morning with minor injuries after a jailhouse altercation, according to prison authorities.
-
Prison employee charged with trafficking
A Pendleton prison employee was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of trafficking with an inmate, according to the Pendleton Correctional Facility.
-
Photo gallery: Pendleton Heights High School Prom
Photos from the Pendleton Heights High School Prom.
-
Daddio's opens in Pendleton
PENDLETON, Ind. — Rick Kinsey isn’t fazed by comments that restaurants don’t always survive in Falls Park Plaza. People told him the same thing when he opened his original Daddio’s Italian Café location in Fortville. And that was 12 years ago. A steady stream of happy customers has kept his hands in the homemade dough — in fact, around 80 percent of his customers have driven the extra miles to satisfy their cravings since the move.
- Chili draws a crowd at Pendleton library PENDLETON, Ind. — Although the weather turned mild Sunday, it didn’t keep area residents from sampling a favorite winter dish for a cause. Pendleton Friends of the Library’s third annual chili cook-off saw its biggest crowd yet, according to Arlene Shannon of the Pendleton Community Library.
- Indiana 13 project begins near Fortville on Monday FORTVILLE, Ind. — Indiana 13 will close near Fortville on Monday as crews begin work on a Major Moves Project along the roadway, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). INDOT's official detour will guide motorists along Indiana 67 through Pendleton and onto Interstate 69, before returning them to Indiana 13.
- Pendleton loses 2-1 in overtime In a heartbreaking 2-1, double-overtime loss to the Greenfield-Central Cougars, the Pendleton Heights Arabians just missed the chance to advance to the 2009 IHSAA girls soccer sectional finals. But they sure put up a good fight.
- Pendleton girls win cross country sectional PENDLETON — After a team meeting and a few anxious moments, Pendleton Heights got back on the winning track and just at the right time. The Arabians pulled together and claimed their own girls cross country sectional title Tuesday by grouping three runners in the top 10 and four in the top 15. PH scored 56 team points to 63 for Mount Vernon.
- Area roundup: Shenandoah beats Lapel volleyball The Raiders rallied from one game down to win in four games over the Bulldogs. Yardley Collett paced the winners with 22 kills, 20 assists, four aces and three blocks. Teammate Kirstyn Pierce had 12 kills, five aces and nine digs.
- More Pendleton News Headlines
-
Judge: Ordinance necessary after repeated drunkenness
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
