Four More Pennsylvania Counties to Join SAVIN by End of July

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) yesterday said that by the end of July four additional counties will have joined a program that allows individuals to be quickly notified of changes in the custody status of offenders. By the end of October 2008, PCCD expects 63 counties to have joined the program.

"The Pennsylvania Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (PA SAVIN) system provides victims of crime, their family members, law enforcement, victim service providers and the public with real-time notification of an offender's release, transfer or escape from jail," said PCCD Chairman Walter M. Phillips Jr. "PA SAVIN's over-arching goal is to provide peace of mind to those whose lives have been impacted by violent crime."

Butler County joined PA SAVIN yesterday. Dauphin County is scheduled to join on Friday, followed by Cambria County on July 22 and Luzerne County on July 30. Northampton, Franklin and Northumberland counties are scheduled to join next month. By the end of October, 63 counties with jails are scheduled to join the system.

Pennsylvanians may register to be notified of an offender's release, transfer, or escape from a county or state facility either by telephone or e-mail, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To register by phone call 1-866-972-7284.