• VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday.  VINE's purpose is to assist crime victims and other concerned persons by providing continual access to inmate custody and case information via the telephone.  This 24-hour information hotline allows crime victims to verify the custody status of an inmate and automatically notifies registered users if the inmate has a change in custody or case status.  (Court information if applicable).

• VINE was created in 1994 after the tragic death of Mary Byron in Louisville, Ky.  An ex-boyfriend murdered Mary when he was released from jail without her knowledge.  A notification call from police, that was promised but not delivered, set the stage for the development of the nation's first totally automated service for keeping crime victims informed of the custody status.  After a year of development, VINE was unveiled in Jefferson County (Louisville) Ky., on December 3, 1994.

• VINE is a fully automated computer service that electronically links inmate custody information at the local jail or state prison to the VINE Call Center.  When new inmate custody information is sent to the VINE Call Center, VINE compares the inmate information to a list of users who have registered with the service.  When it finds a match it immediately places calls to the appropriate registered individual(s).  VINE may also monitor court information by connecting to on-site case management systems at the prosecutor or district attorney's office.

• VINE only monitors inmates who are in the custody of participating agencies.  If you need more information on VINE in your area, call the PACE (Public Awareness and Community Education) Department at 1-800-816-0491.
• There may be delays from the time of arrest before an inmate is officially recorded in the institution.  If VINE cannot confirm that the inmate is in custody, callers should assume the inmate has been released.
• An inmate may be released on bail or released on his/her recognizance during arraignment.  These individuals may not be considered in custody.
• VINE may not monitor inmates being held at a police precinct or other police facilities.  For further information, contact the PACE Department at 1-800-816-0491.

• In most cases VINE is an open service available to anyone in the community who would like custody information about an inmate or register to be notified of an inmate's release.  Victims of crime who have previously provided information to the arresting agency may be automatically registered to participate in VINE.  All others may participate by calling the toll-free VINE hotline in your area.

• Vine will provide a training workshop for law enforcement agencies and victim service providers agencies.  Once all specified training is completed, a general introduction to the public and the media will take place.  Victim service providers, first responders and law enforcement officers will have brochures, cards, and/or posters detailing the VINE service and explaining the registration process.

• Victims should know that VINE is a service that is available to assist them in determining the custody status of an inmate.  All VINE telephone registrations are anonymous and free.  A VINE brochure will be available to victims with information on how to use the VINE service.  Victims should also know that their family and friends can participate by calling the VINE hotline directly.

• The VINE service is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year including holidays.  Any change in inmate custody will prompt the VINE service to call all registered victims regardless of the day or time.

• The VINE service will notify all registered persons if an inmate is transferred out of custody of a participating institution.  If you need more information on the participating agencies in your area, call the PACE Department at 1-800-816-0491.

For assistance in using the VINE program or to report a technical problem:
CALL THE VINE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE 24 HOURS A DAT AT 1-800-865-4314.

THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND APPLIES TO MOST VINE PROGRAMS.  HOWEVER, EACH VINE PROGRAM IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH COMMUNITY.

Inmate Information Available from NYSDOCS
Web Page and VINE toll free number

Inmate Lookup on the Internet at www.docs.state.ny.us

The Inmate Lookup on the Internet is provided as a major tool for law enforcement as well as for the general public.   It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.  Access the webpage at www.docs.state.ny.us and click on Inmate Lookup.  You will be prompted for one of the following:

     1.  Department Identification Number (DIN).
     2.  New York State Identification Number (NYSID).
     3.  Name and Date of Birth of the offender.

Information available through the webpage includes facility location, date received, county of commitment, crime information, length of sentence, earliest release date, other legal date information, and basic demographic data.

The webpage includes the 70,000 inmates now in New York state prisons and another 60,0000 parolees plus the names of anyone who was in the sate prison system anytime since the late 1970's , when the database was created.

VINE toll free number 1-888-VINE-4-NY (1-888-846-3469)

This phone system provides basic information about inmates in prison on or after January 1, 1999.  The VINE system can also be used to register for notification of an inmate's release from prison.  The VINE toll free number is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in both English and Spanish with a live operator option to help callers having difficulty with the system.

Using any of the three identifiers above, you will be able to obtain information on an inmate's facility location, controlling crime, and earliest release date (which is subject to change for many reasons).

Registration for Notification

Using the toll free number, a caller may also register a telephone number for confidential notification of the inmate's release from custody, death, transfer to work release or participation in a temporary leave from a facility (furlough).

The caller registers a telephone number ONLY - no name or address.  The telephone number registered for notification is completely confidential and is not releasable under a Freedom of Information Law request.

When the caller uses the toll free VINE number to register for notification, the caller must select a four-digit PIN that is easy to remember.  The four-digit PIN must be entered when the notification call is received in order to confirm that the information was received and stop the notification calls from continuing.

Customer Workstation

Internet based customer specific website

Access offender data

Run audit reports

VINE Interface

Captures offender records as entered into existing system

Immediately communicates offender data to Call Center, including updates/changes

VINE Call Center

Stores offender records

Monitors customer interface for changes/updates

Live operator backup available 24 hours a day

Revised July 1999
VINE Patented Technology
U.S. Patent Number 5,861,810