For obvious reasons, crime victims often want to keep tabs on the person who harmed them. Registering for VINE notifications is just one way victims can stay informed about the location and status of an offender. VINE stands for "Victim Information and Notification Everyday." It's an automated notification system that was designed to provide victims and their families with up-to-date offender custody status and case information.
Why Was VINE Created?
In 1994, a Kentucky company (Appriss) created VINE in response to the murder of Mary Byron. Byron’s former boyfriend was released from jail shortly before he killed her. The man had previously been jailed on charges of kidnapping and raping Byron. When he was released on bail, no one notified Byron, her family, or local law enforcement.
VINE was created with victim safety in mind—giving victims, their families, and concerned citizens the power of information. But it's important to understand that VINE and other services have limitations: Never rely solely on one source of information for your safety.
Do VINE Notifications Replace Restraining Orders?
No, VINE notifications do not replace restraining orders. VINE notifications provide an extra layer of safety; however, these notifications are not court orders of any kind. Restraining orders are issued by a court and violating an order is a crime. A restraining order prohibits offenders (including those in custody) from contacting victims by direct contact (like mail or phone) or through third parties. It also prohibits the offender from harming the victims, say by having a person outside the system harm the victim.
Like VINE notifications, victims shouldn't rely on a restraining order for safety. Offenders violate these orders, so victims need to take additional precautions.
How Does the VINE Network Work? Is VINE Free?
VINE is a free, anonymous service for anyone to use. You can register for VINE network notifications by going to the VINE website, downloading the VINELink mobile app (iOS or Android), or calling (866) 277-7477. VINE receives offender and custody information from local and state facilities.
Each participating state has its own VINE website that you can access here, but the exact information available varies by state. For instance, some states only connect local detention facilities (like city or county jails) to VINE, and state prisons or correctional facilities might be linked to a state-specific victim notification service. Several states use a service called SAVIN, which stands for State Automated Victim Information and Notification. If you can’t find the offender in the VINE system, check to see whether their information is linked to another system. You could run an online search for “[your state] victim notification prison,” as an example.
How Do You Register for VINE Notifications?
When registering for VINE, you select the offender who you want to receive notifications about. All you need is the offender’s name, offender ID number, or case ID number (sometimes partial information will work). You can also search with more specific information like birthdate, facility name, and age range. Specific information can be especially helpful when looking for an offender with a common name.
How Will VINE Notify Me?
Once you find the offender, you specify how you want VINE to notify you when a triggering event occurs, such as inmate release, transfer, or escape. Available options vary by area and the exact system but often include receiving information by:
- phone call
- app notification
- text message
- TTY device, or
- email.
Many states also allow registrants to sign up for additional notifications. Arkansas’s VINE system, for example, sends notifications when an offender has an upcoming court date or parole hearing.
Know that if an offender is transferred between facilities—say from a local jail to a state prison—you might need to update your VINE notification settings, register under a different victim notification system for the new location, or both.
Is VINE Available in Every State?
VINE provides offender information in every state except South Dakota. (South Dakota uses SAVIN, described above.) However, it's important to know the service might not be available statewide. In Arizona, for instance, VINE is only accessible in the Glendale area. And, as noted above, some states use VINE to monitor inmates' custody status in local jail facilities but not state facilities. So, if you can't find the offender's information in VINE, it might be in another victim notification system based on the facility type.
Another great resource for help is your local or state victim services office, which might be located in the prosecutor's office, law enforcement department, or another agency. The Office for Victims of Crime has a list of state programs that might be able to assist or direct you to the appropriate office.
Does VINE Work for Offenders in Federal Custody?
No, VINE doesn’t get information about offenders who are in federal custody. If you are looking for someone in a federal prison (Bureau of Prisons or BOP) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, you'll need to check out that department's victim notification system. Victims who want notice of a custody status change for a federal prisoner can go to the U.S. Department of Justice's website. And Homeland Security provides a victim notification service for criminal alien status. You can also find inmate and detainee information on the websites for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and ICE.
Help for Victims
If you need assistance registering for VINE, contact their toll-free number for help (1-866-277-7477). For other victim resources, the VINE website provides a directory of local victim service providers, including organizations that help with basic needs, counseling, financial and legal assistance, and more.