Victim Notification
Victim notification is a system that alerts crime victims when an offender's status changes, such as when they are released, transferred, or escape. VINELink is the primary national victim notification service. Victims register to receive automatic notifications. Families of incarcerated people can also use VINELink to track status changes, though they are not the primary intended audience.
What Is Victim Notification?
Victim notification services like VINELink allow registered individuals to receive automatic alerts when an offender's custody status changes. Crime victims use this service to know when someone who harmed them is being released. Families of incarcerated people can also register to receive transfer and release notifications.
VINELink is available at vinelink.vineapps.com and is operated in partnership with most state corrections systems. Registration is free and notifications can be received by phone, email, or text message.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
VINELink
VINELink is a free national victim notification service that also allows the public to search for inmate status information.
AdministrationInmate Search
An inmate search is the process of using an official online database or locator tool to find where a specific person is currently incarcerated, including their facility location and basic status information.
AdministrationRelease Date
A release date is the date on which an incarcerated person is scheduled to be released from custody. Release dates can be projected (estimated) or confirmed based on sentence calculations, good time credits, and parole decisions. Federal inmate release dates are publicly available through the BOP inmate locator at bop.gov. State inmate release information varies by state and may be found through the state DOC offender search.
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is VINELink?
VINELink is a free national victim notification service that also allows the public to search for inmate status information.
Read full definitionWhat is Inmate Search?
An inmate search is the process of using an official online database or locator tool to find where a specific person is currently incarcerated, including their facility location and basic status information.
Read full definitionWhat is Release Date?
A release date is the date on which an incarcerated person is scheduled to be released from custody. Release dates can be projected (estimated) or confirmed based on sentence calculations, good time credits, and parole decisions. Federal inmate release dates are publicly available through the BOP inmate locator at bop.gov. State inmate release information varies by state and may be found through the state DOC offender search.
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