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.
When 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.
How Does the VINE Network Work? Is VINE Free?
VINE is a free and anonymous service for anyone to use. You can register for VINE network notifications by going to the VINE website, downloading the VineLink mobile app, or calling (866) 277-7477. VINE receives offender and custody information from local and state facilities. The exact information available varies by state, and each participating state has its own VINE website that you can access here.
Registering for VINE
When you register 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. But 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.
VINE Notification Methods
Once you find the offender, you specify how you want VINE to notify you when a triggering event (see below) occurs. Available options vary by area but often include receiving information by:
- phone call
- app notification
- text message
- TTY device, or
- email.
VINE Automatic Notifications: Inmate Release, Transfer, Escape
VINE notifications differ by state and county. But typically, VINE sends automated notifications when the inmate:
- transfers to a different jail, prison, or another facility
- is released, or
- escapes.
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.
Where Is VINE Available?
VINE provides offender information in all but two states—Maine and South Dakota. However, it's important to know the service might not be available statewide. In Arizona, for instance, VINE is accessible only in the Glendale area. Also, some states use VINE to monitor inmates' custody status in local jail facilities but not state facilities.
Options If VINE Isn't in Your Area
If VINE is not available in your area, contact or look up the facility where the offender is located to see if custody status or other offender information is available (this might be a local, county, or regional jail or state prison or corrections department). Some correctional facilities use their own victim notification systems.
Another great resource 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.
Federal Custody Status Not Available
Also know that VINE doesn’t get information about offenders who are in federal custody. So if you are looking for someone in a federal prison or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, VINE isn’t helpful. Victims of federal crimes can sign up for notification of case information on 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.