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| Florida Following Texas With Inmate Tip Hotline |
| By Seattle Times |
| Published: 07/06/2001 |
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The Crime Stoppers program that rewards callers anonymously for tips that help solve crimes is about to expand to an unusual place: the Florida prison system. Taking their cue from Texas, state corrections officials plan to establish hotlines for inmates to call to snitch on each other - although they prefer not to call it snitching. Prison officials, at the suggestion of state corrections chief Mike Moore, are looking for guidance at the program that has been working in Texas for seven years. 'We think there's a lot to be gained from what they know,' Department of Corrections deputy inspector general Walton Murphree said. Tips would be whispered over a two-digit, toll-free number that could be dialed from any telephone designated for inmate use. In Texas, prison authorities say they are pleased. 'We've captured 13 or 14 fugitives based on tips, solved six murders and stopped an escape,' said Nancy Petkovsek, who coordinates the Texas Department of Criminal Justice program. Fears of retaliation were a concern, Petkovsek said, but that's not been a problem. 'We haven't had an inmate get a scratch.' |
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