Crime Victims Encouraged to Register for Status Updates

JACKSON — Each week, dozens of crime victims in Mississippi learn about any change in the status of offenders thanks to two services offered by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Victims or other survivors must be registered with Victim Services or the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification program, known as SAVIN, in order to receive alerts about offenders under MDOC supervision or jurisdiction. Notification can be received via telephone, letter, email and texts.

As the National Crime Victims’ Right Week ends, the MDOC continues to encourage victims or their survivors to consider registering.

Victim Services can be reached at (601) 359-5628 or (866) 522-4087; to reach SAVIN, call (888) 967-7284 or (601) 359-5759. Or, victims can register online at www.mdoc.state.ms.us and www.vinelink.com.

Both services also extend beyond notification. For example, Victim Services also assists with harassment complaints or threats made via phone, social media or mail. Additionally, staff serves as a liaison with the state Parole Board, local government agencies and state courts and provides escort to parole hearings and executions.

Victim Services is the only correction-based service provider in the state. It currently has about 6,100 registrants.

SAVIN can be used as a law enforcement investigative tool with data sharing capabilities. Currently, there are 36,178 active registrations, with new registrations occurring at the rate of 1,300 per month.

All those registered with Victim Services and/or SAVIN must make sure their information is current.

Categories: Crime, Local News

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