NEWS RELEASE October 29, 1998
For Immediate Release                                                                                                            Contact: Juliette Grace
The VINE Company
                                                                                                                                                             1-800-816-0491
jgrace@vineco.com

Mendocino County Sheriff James Tuso's automated victim notification

program goes live during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Crime victims can access inmate information 24 hours a day, seven days a week

        UKIAH, Cal-Victims of crime in Mendocino County can feel more secure now that the VINE® program is fully operational. Mendocino County Sheriff James Tuso said "The VINE program (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is designed to bridge the gap between victims of crime and the criminal justice system.  "VINE, the nation's only automated service for victim notification, uses advanced technology to electronically link the Mendocino County Jail's booking system to the National Call Center in Louisville, KY.

        Sheriff Tuso approved the program based on his belief that the safety and well being of victims of violent crime depends largely upon knowing the whereabouts of their attacker. Sheriff Tuso said "Annually 6500 offenders are released from Mendocino Jails. It is my hope that early notification will better prepare crime victims against repeat attacks. Unveiling VINE during Domestic Violence Awareness Month should increase community awareness of this free, possibly life saving program."

        When an inmate has a change in status, the VINE Call Center immediately begins to call all registered victims. Notification calls continue every half-hour for 24-hours or until the victims are contacted. The system will leave a message on an answering machine, but calls continue until the victim enters their Personal Identification Number (PIN) to indicate that they have been successfully notified of an inmate's release, transfer or escape.


        Victims call a toll free hotline, anytime day or night, to register for notification or to check on an offender's status. The VINE Call Center also offers 24-hour live operator support for callers who need personal assistance. This feature assists callers with rotary telephones, and can provide referrals to designated victim service agencies.


        This early warning system is now in 32 states and serves more than 350 communities across the United States and Canada.  VINE is the nation's first and only automated service for victim notification.  Other communities offering VINE include New York City, San Francisco, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Atlanta, Miami, Indianapolis and Ontario, Canada.




Here's how VINE works: Crime victims call the VINE hotline at 1-800-546-4711.


The VINE Call Center tracks offenders in Mendocino County through an interface with the county's on-site jail computer systems.

When calling the VINE hotline, victims will be given a series of prompts guiding them through the registration process. VINE will ask for a phone number and a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Notification calls will go to the phone number registered by the victim. Victims may call back and register additional phone numbers if needed.

When notified by VINE, a victim is prompted to enter the four digit PIN code established during registration.  Entering the PIN confirms a successful notification and stops any further calls. If VINE reaches an answering machine, it will leave a message but will continue calls to the registered victim.