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Montana Launches Online Offender Searches

Information on aliases, felony conviction records and physical characteristics is now available on the state's Web site.

HELENA, Mont. -- The state's Department of Corrections announced Friday that information on convicted criminals in Montana is now available to anyone with an Internet connection through a new online search system.

The Correctional Offender Network (CON) is a free service located at the state's official Web site. The CON allows users to search for an adult individual that has been convicted of a felony in the state using criteria such as name or adult offender number. Searches will return a list of possible matches from which complete offender reports can be displayed online.

These reports contain identifiable physical characteristics such as locations of scars, marks and tattoos. Online reports also contain demographic information, aliases, felony conviction records and photos when available.

Department of Corrections Director Bill Slaughter said the project came together with the cooperation of the governor, Attorney General Mike McGrath and CIO Brian Wolf.

The CON database contains key information on felony convictions only. It is designed as a supplement to the VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday) system that provides victims with a current status of inmate activity. The Department of Corrections also encourages victims to register with the department and the Board of Pardons and Parole so they can be notified of any changes in an offender's status.

The CON was developed cooperatively and is supported by the state's Department of Corrections, the Department of Administration's Information Technology Services Division and Montana Interactive -- a wholly owned subsidiary of electronic-government provider NIC.