Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Article: VINE offers victims a lifeline

MANITOWOC —When a young Kentucky woman was killed by her former boyfriend in 1993 — after he had been released from jail without her knowledge — the woman's family decided to do something about it.

That something was the beginning of VINE, Victim Information and Notification Everyday, a nationwide computerized service expected to be available today in Manitowoc County.

WI-VINE, as Wisconsin's system is called, monitors the custody status of offenders in the state's county jails and notifies victims by phone or online when an arrested person no longer is in custody, said Jason Jost, Manitowoc County Jail administrator.

"We have domestics on a daily or weekly basis," he said. "If that victim feared for their safety, they would register online or on the phone. All they need is the offender's name or offender number."

The victim would be contacted if the offender is released, transferred or escapes, Jost said.

VINE is "designed to empower and protect crime victims, improve public safety and assist corrections, law enforcement and victim service providers," according to its website.

Joining the system

Manitowoc is one of 63 of Wisconsin's 72 counties to be part of the system, Jost said.

"It's been able to expand and is continuing to expand so that victims or potential victims … can be forewarned before anything else can happen," he said.

In the past, domestic violence victims could request notification of an offender's release, but it wasn't an everyday practice, Jost said.

The system isn't just for domestic violence cases, but any crime victim who fears for his or her safety, said Sheriff Rob Hermann.

Judges, jail workers and law officers who have been threatened by an inmate can take advantage of the service, Jost said.

VINE also can help law enforcement agencies investigate crimes, Hermann said.

The system is available across state lines to assist agencies outside the area as well, Jost said.

One of the biggest advantages is that it takes out the human error in notifying victims, Hermann said.
Users can register as many phone numbers as they like, or an email address. The system will keep making contact at regular intervals during a 48-hour period until it reaches the registered person, Jost said.

The computerized system works off of the Manitowoc County Jail's inmate management system and data is updated every 15 minutes around the clock, he said.

Offered in 3 languages

VINE is offered in English, Spanish and Hmong. The service, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is anonymous and confidential. VINE also is supported by 24-hour trained operator assistance.

WI-VINE is a joint effort of the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. They introduced the system to law enforcement, the media and victim service providers in late March.

The system was funded by a Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

For more information, call the toll-free number (888) 944-8463 or visit www.vinelink.com.

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