ID gets new victim program

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BOISE, Idaho. (AP) - An automated system for around-the-clock notification of victims when an offender gets out of prison, already adopted by every surrounding state, is now in the works for Idaho as well.

Idaho has obtained a federal Bureau of Justice Assistance grant for nearly $1 million to set up a Victim Information and Notification Everyday system. The state has had VINE in operation for state prison inmates since 2002, and Ada and Bannock counties also have gotten VINE startup grants.

State law requires that victims to be notified when offenders who victimized them escape or are transferred or released from prison, typically by mail, but the new system would make that and other information by telephone or computer around the clock.

''I just want to help the victim - that's who I'm for,'' said Bruce Gordon, victim services coordinator for the Idaho Department of Correction. ''I think society is just now understanding the amount of trauma that a victim actually goes through.''

Gordon discussed the program Thursday at ''Two Days in June,'' an annual crime victim assistance conference.

One limitation is that VINE covers only inmates under state or county control and not those jailed in other states. For example, when an Idaho inmate escaped from a contract prison in Texas in January, Gordon was notified by Texas authorities and worked with local police to notify the victim.

When VINE is established, victims, their relatives and others may register to receive telephone calls on changes in the custody status of a particular offender. They will also be able to call or use the Internet to check for such information.

''She's going to wake up and call that toll-free number and know exactly where he's at,'' Gordon said.

The grant is to link all of Idaho's county jails into a single, statewide system like the ones in 26 states, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Montana and Wyoming.

''We're No. 27,'' Gordon said. ''Some states are just not there yet, but we are making progress. I actually foresee in the future, I believe the feds are going to make us all have notification. It's a very big push. That's why (the Bureau of Justice Assistance) is having the grant money.''

Idaho was awarded the grant in August, received the money in December and began work in January, so far adding nine county jails to the statewide system, he said.

''By next year at this time, we should be totally up and running 100 percent,'' Gordon said.

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