Victim notification system going online

By November the Carson City Jail expects to have in operation a victim-notification system that will inform victims and witnesses when an offender is released from jail.

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said the program, Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), is being funded by a grant from the Attorney General's Office and Sheriff's and Chief Association.

Already in use in 47 states, the automated system allows victims and witnesses to register either by phone or online and receive notification by phone, e-mail, text message or TTY device 24 hours a day, seven days a week when an inmate's custody status has changed.

"I'm only able to notify people from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday," said Frankie Haynes, victim-witness coordinator with the Carson City District Attorney's Office. "To have access to information any time of day is better."

Furlong said in addition to the notification, the system will allow people to look up who is in custody at the Carson City Jail. The particulars are still being worked out about what information will be available through VINE, he said.

Lt. Clay Wall said the program will allow people to be proactive if they are concerned about their safety in the event that someone who has committed a crime against them is released.

But anyone interested in the status of a jail inmate can sign up for the notification, said Haynes.

"I think that this use of automation will make our system more efficient," said Furlong.

Furlong said 350 people a month are booked into the jail. Haynes said the District Attorney's Office handles about 200 new cases a month, 40 percent of those involving victims or witnesses who are concerned about their safety.

"Giving people information to better protects themselves is extremely valuable to us," the sheriff said.

The program is expected to be up and running in early November.

For more information visit vinelink.com