NEW PROGRAM NOTIFIES VICTIMS WHEN PRISONERS ARE DUE FOR RELEASE, TRANSFER, OR ESCAPE

Victim Information and Notification Everyday (V.I.N.E.)

July 10, 2009 (San Diego)-- In June of 2009, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department became a participant in the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) program. VINE is a free service to the public and provides notification when significant changes occur to an inmate’s custody status. This service has been introduced in San Diego County in part, through a grant from the California State Sheriff’s Association.

VINE users are able to register an e-mail address and/or telephone number(s) in order to be notified when an inmate in Sheriff’s custody is released, is pending release (for sentenced inmates with scheduled release dates), or when transferred to a facility in another county or state prison. This notification is confidential and protects the registrant’s anonymity.

Crime victims can access information or register by calling 1-877-411-5588 or by visiting www.vinelink.com. Registrants must enter the offender’s name or booking number in order to properly register for notification with VINE. The booking number is available from the Sheriff’s web page, ‘Who’s in Jail’ link. Once a victim selects the proper inmate on the ‘Who’s in Jail – Inmate Detail’ screen, there is a direct link to VINE that queues the inmate’s booking number for registration. It is effective immediately.

“This is an excellent resource for victims who want to know when inmates have a change in their custody status. We hope this will alleviate some of the mystery, guesswork, and confusion that are an extra burden victims simply don’t need to bear,” commented Sheriff Bill Gore.

The VINE service is one component which will bring the San Diego Sheriff’s Department into compliance with one of the 17 enumerated rights contained in the Victim’s Bill of Rights (Marsy’s Law); notification of inmate release or escape.

On November, 4, 2008, voters approved Proposition 9, the ‘Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law.’ This measure amended the California Constitution to provide certain rights to crime victims. The rights described in Marsy’s Law involve many different entities within the criminal justice system. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is able to help meet these rights as they relate to defendants in the custody of the Sheriff.

San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis commented, “Our victim advocates will continue to encourage and support crime victims by, and take a proactive approach by using this new system. One of our goals is to help crime survivors from being re-victimized by the criminal justice system.”

Other elements include a victim’s prerogative to be notified of rights under the law. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department will comply with this by directing victims to the Sheriff’s Internet website for a full listing of Marsy’s Law rights. In the interim, to accomplish immediate compliance, a stamp has been made available to all facilities for the back of business cards. This will provide information about the Sheriff’s website and will contain a link to a Victim’s Services web page and the San Diego District Attorney’s website for offender court date information, as well as provide links to the Victim Assistance and compensation websites.

A departmental training bulletin has been prepared and issued to sworn personnel with instructions on this new initiative.

In addition to the department’s website, brochures are also available for distribution explaining Marsy’s Law, the VINE program, the Victims’ Bill of Rights, and resources for additional help and information.
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