Victim Information Notification (VINE)

 

The Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office has joined law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and State of Wisconsin in the automated Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) program. The U.S. Department of Justice designed a statewide (and national) automated system which provides victims and other community members with timely information about the location and custody states of offenders housed in Wisconsin jails.

The automated notification system initiated from a tragic case out of Kentucky. A victim of a terrible assault failed to receive notification that her assailant had been released from jail custody. The man stalked the woman and killed her three days after his release.  

The VINE system will provide information about the status of the offender 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a toll free telephone (1-888-944-8463) or via the internet at www.vinelink.com.  In addition, victims and others may register to receive automated notification when the offender’s custody status changes.  The service is free to the public and the person will remain anonymous.   

This system will allow crime victims to breathe a little easier now that they can track offenders who are under the custody of the Trempealeau County Jail.  With the implementation of the VINE service, victims of crime will be able to know the current location and status of their offender and be able to take appropriate steps to ensure their own personal safety.