14-21 - Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE)

The Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) is a warning system whereby victims would be notified of their perpetrator’s impending or actual release from the Department’s custody.  Although VINE focuses on domestic violence and its related crimes, it will work with every type of crime and arrestee/inmate in the Department’s jail system.

The VINE system interfaces with the Automated Justice Interface System (AJIS) for its information.  Every time the arrestee/inmate’s information is electronically updated with court dates, release dates, et cetera, VINE is automatically notified.

To register, all a person must know is the arrestee/inmate’s name and/or booking number and have access to a touch-tone phone or the internet.  There is no fee for registering with VINE, and anyone may register (for example, victim, media, victim advocates, victim’s family and friends, arrestee/inmate’s family and friends, detectives, and special interest groups). 

Pursuant to MPP Section 5-09/030.10, deputies who handle a domestic violence incident must give a VINE information sheet to the victim and explain the VINE program to the victim.  If an incident report is written, the deputy shall document that he/she gave the victim the VINE information sheet and explained the Vine Program to the victim.  The deputy shall explain the following information to the victim:

• Reason for registering (safety of victim);
• Register (via phone or internet) to receive a telephonic or email notification;
• The need of the arrestee/inmate’s name and/or booking number;
• If the victim registers, the VINE will automatically send either a pre-recorded phone message or email advising the victim of the pending release, release, and/or transfer; and
• Registration in the VINE program can be done after the arrestee/inmate has been booked into AJIS.

In the event an arrestee/inmate is released and subsequently rearrested on another charge, the victim must re-register with VINE. If the arrestee/inmate who is registered for a notification is transferred to or from one County to another County or to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the victim must re-register with the new County or California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The VINE program places the responsibility on the victim to stay informed and assists them in taking an active role in their own protection.   

Information regarding the content of this newsletter may be directed to Field Operations Support Services.