9781422275481

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VINE NETWORK For many years, victims of crime had to live in constant anxiety, wondering when their assailant would be released from police custody, jail, or prison. In 1994, the VINE network (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) was created to put an end to victims having to live in perpetual fear. This system was established in response to the murder of Mary Byron, who was killed by her former boyfriend shortly after his release from prison. The former boyfriend was in jail for charges of kidnapping and raping Byron, but neither she nor her family was notified when he was released on bail. If they had been notified, perhaps her murder could have been prevented. Today, most states allow anyone to register for VINE access, which means they will receive an automated phone call when the offender in question is released from custody, with instructions on what to do if they feel that their personal safety is in jeopardy. It’s impossible to tell how many lives the VINE system has saved, and its creation was a huge leap for the field of victim advocacy .

VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) allows a victim of a crime to be notified if the perpetrator is released from jail.

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