News Release
For immediate release
Indiana launches statewide notification network
INDIANAPOLIS (January 26, 2007) – Governor Mitch Daniels today outlined the state’s plans to
help victims of crime track the status of an offender housed in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Correction has started implementation of the new Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) network, the result of legislation approved unanimously in 2005.
The automated network will allow Indiana residents to receive real-time information about the custody status of offenders in all 92 counties. They can register to be notified about an offender’s placement, release, transfer or other change. There is no cost to use the service and users can access the offender information by telephone or the Internet.
“We’re putting a system in place that has long been needed by the victims of crime. This is a major step forward in our efforts to protect Hoosiers,” said Daniels.
Development of the program has already started and will be launched in April. Information about 80 percent of Indiana offenders will be available by the end of this year, with the remainder added in 2008. All of the 32 state prison facilities will participate, and the federal funding will cover the cost for all counties that offer the program in their communities, said Correction Commissioner J. David Donahue. All are expected to do so. Marion and Hamilton counties have notification systems in place and will join the new network.
“Users accessing the automated service can learn the offender’s custody status change in real time,” Donahue said.
SAVIN will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and operators will be available around the clock to answer questions or assist callers. Crime victims are anonymous while using the system.
In the last two years, Congress approved $17 million to fund the implementation of SAVIN systems nationwide. Indiana received $1.25 million to begin and operate the program. The state, through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Department of Correction, are providing about $950,000 in matching funds.
The Department of Correction has selected a vendor, Appriss Inc., to implement the system.
These links will connect to an audio file demonstrating how the new notification system will work:
http://www.appriss.com/IN_SAVIN/IbScript.mp3
http://www.appriss.com/IN_SAVIN/ObScript.mp3
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Office of the Governor media contact: Jane Jankowski, 317/232-1622, jjankowski@gov.in.gov
Department of Correction media contact: Java Ahmed, 317/232-5780, jahmed@doc.in.gov
Appriss provides innovative technology solutions that help governments serve and protect their citizens. Its flagship product, VINEŽ (Victim Information & Notification Everyday,) allows crime victims and the general public to obtain offender custody or court status over the telephone or the Internet in more than 1,500 counties in 39 states and two Canadian provinces. Partnering with a team led by AT&T Government Solutions Inc., Appriss provides automated notification services to victims of Federal crimes through the U.S. Department of Justice.
Other innovative products and services include JusticeXchange?, an Integrated Criminal Justice application, and AlertXpress?, a high-speed notification solution for criminal justice agencies.