What do these crime victims have in common? 

Mary, a rape victim, calls the toll-free number 1-888-VINE-4-NY every night before she goes to bed to verify that her assailant is still in jail.  In the morning, as she readies herself for work, she calls again to be sure that he is still locked up. 

James , a high school sophomore, calls 1-888-VINE-4-NY, just before he leaves for school, to be sure that the three thugs who beat him up are still in jail.  Now, when he turns the corner of his building, they won’t be there waiting to beat him up again.

Jim, a grieving father, calls 1-888-VINE-4-NY periodically to assure himself that the inmate who murdered his 21 year old daughter Sarah, in a store robbery, is still in State Prison.  A little peace of mind for Sam, who knows justice has been done, but he still must live with his loss. 

Jennifer, a registered victim, just received a notification call that her ex-boyfriend, who abused her, is being released from jail today.  She calmly reviews her Order of Protection and checks her safety plan.  She knows she has the support of family and friends and is prepared to move on with her life, knowing that he is out of jail.

They need timely and accurate information about their incarcerated offender.  Their personal safety and peace of mind are absolutely critical to them.  They don’t want to be caught off guard when the inmate is released without their knowledge only to be needlessly harmed again.

That is what happened to Mary Byron some seventeen years ago.  Her boyfriend, rapist and the murderer, was released from jail without her knowledge.  He killed her on her 21st birthday.  This tragic event sparked the creation of the VINE Program in Louisville, Kentucky, Victim Information and Notification Everyday.

In the Fall of 1997 the City of New York Department of Correction, brought VINE to New York.  With one phone call to the toll-free number, 1-888-VINE-4-NY, or a search of the website, www.vinelink.com, a crime victim could learn about the location of their incarcerated offender and register for a notification phone call or email when the inmate is to be released to the community.  Never before had such a comprehensive and automated victim information and notification service existed.  Today, crime victims are assured and confident they will be notified in a timely manner when their offender is released from jail.

 As a further testament to the need for this Information and Notification Service, 50,001 crime victims called 1-888-VINE-4-NY in the first six months of 2010.  They searched the VINE database 418,674 times in their quest for critical offender information.  35,768 registered victims were notified when the inmate’s custody status changed.  261,270 phone calls and 18,400 e-mails were sent to assure these 35,768 registered victims that they would receive the vital information they requested.  This is an amazing 37% increase in use of the New York VINE Program over the same period last year.  The clear message is – crime victims will use the VINE program if they know about it. 

Victim Services have entered into a new era.  The blending of communication systems with information technology into an Automated Information and Notification Service is but one example of how crime victims are being helped.  The 60 New York County Correctional Facilities continue their primary mission of housing inmates but today, because of the VINE Program, they are helping crime victims get the information and help they need.  The New York Sheriffs’ will continue their quest for new technology and systems that aid crime victims.  The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute Inc. is pleased to be a partner with the City of New York Department of Correction and the New York State Department of Correctional Services in providing the statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification Service (VINE).  The Sheriffs’ Institute is indebted to the New York State Crime Victims Board for their support.

If you are a crime victim and need help in finding an inmate in a New York Correctional Facility, call the toll free number, 1-888-VINE-4-NY or go on line at www.vinelink.com.  You will have the option of registering for a notification phone call or e-mail when the inmate is released to the community. All  phone calls are anonymous.  They will continue for up to 24 hours.  Don’t hesitate to use the VINE Program.  It is there for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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