The initiative is a partnership between the commonwealth, the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA), and the Virginia Community Policing Institute (VCPI).
Over the next two and a half years, the expanded service will be implemented in all of the commonwealth’s city, county and regional prisons and jails. The VSA received a grant from the US Bureau of Justice Assistance of $1.25 million to fund the expansion.
The VINE service is one of the nation’s largest and most successful e-government programs, providing crime victims and other citizens with free, updated offender information 24 hours every day, Virginia governor Timothy Kaine said.
This tracking system provides additional peace of mind to those who have been victimized by criminals, and law enforcement officials tell us it can be an invaluable tool in serving and protecting our people.
Users of VINE may call a toll-free number to find out if an offender is in jail, and register by phone to be notified when an offender is released, transferred, or escapes.
