OIT Provides Project Oversight For Victim Notification Program 

There is a new effort underway with the Missouri Department of Public Safety to provide services to victims of crime. The state of Missouri has signed a contract with Appriss to implement a statewide Victim Notification Program (VINE) in 49 circuit courts and 104 jail facilities. VINE is an advanced computerized network that automatically notifies victims of crime when an offender is released from jail or prison, escapes, or is transferred to another facility. A centralized, national Call Center located in Louisville, KY constantly monitors inmate activity through an interface with the state's online booking system or other existing record-keeping system. Updated inmate records are automatically sent to the national Call Center. Callers dial a toll-free number to check the custody status of an offender and to register with VINE to receive automatic telephone notification upon a change in the custody status of the offender. When a change in inmate status is received, VINE reacts to automatically call all registered persons. Through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, Missouri received Crime Victim Assistance grants to support this program. Installation of services began in April of 2002 and will continue through February of 2004. The Office of Information Technology is providing Project Oversight for the statewide Victim Notification Program.