Attorney General Troy King, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Drayton Nabers, Jr. and Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) Director Maury Mitchell announced that Alabama will receive nearly $1 million in federal funds to implement an automated statewide crime victim information system. State agencies have begun making preparations for future implementation of the new system, known as Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN).
"It is particularly appropriate that we make this announcement in October, during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month," said Attorney General King. "Domestic violence is a very personal crime that haunts victims, many of whom live in terror that the offender will come back to attack or kill them. With the SAVIN program, victims of all crimes, including domestic violence, will have ready access to knowledge that will help them to protect themselves. Law enforcement officials across our state welcome this much-needed tool that enhances our ability to serve crime victims. By linking all the victims' service offices to one accessible point, every agency's service to victims will be improved."
The State recently received notification that it has been approved to receive $986,251 over a two-year period from the U.S.
Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. The State is to provide $493,126 in matching funds and in-kind services, which will be provided by participating state agencies including ACJIC, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center, the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Alabama Department of Corrections, and the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services.
The Attorney General's Office of Victim Assistance will manage the new statewide victim notification service, and the grant will be administered by ACJIC.
When it is implemented, SAVIN will provide victims and citizens with access to offender information and status 24 hours a day, through a toll-free phone line or over the Internet. In addition, victims may register to be automatically notified of a change in the offenders' status, such as release, escape, transfer to another facility, death, or if they are arrested again.
"The introduction of a victim notification system is a monumental day for victims of crime in the State of Alabama," Chief Justice Drayton Nabers said. "This system is another tool victims can utilize in protecting themselves against repeat offenses, and the technology will notify the victim when the criminal offender is released from detention in jail or prison. This has proven to be a great tool for victims in other states and I am proud to partner with the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center to make it a reality across Alabama."
