JUSTICE DEPT. AWARDS VICTIM NOTIFICATION FUNDS TO MISSISSIPPI

Cochran Announces $500,000 Grant for Statewide Automated Victim Information Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced a $500,000 grant award to the Mississippi Department of Corrections to upgrade a statewide victim notification system.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) funding will be used to implement a new service within the Mississippi Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) program.

“The notification program is designed to keep victims of crime informed.  This award is intended to augment existing notification services which are useful to crime victims and law enforcement agencies,” Cochran said.

The grant will be used to begin protective order notifications through a VINE Protective Order (VPO) service.

Mississippi SAVIN allows victims, victim advocates, law enforcement and others to receive confidential notifications regarding an inmate’s release, transfer, or other status change in the criminal justice system.

The grant to Mississippi was awarded through the DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance through its FY2009 Developing and Enhancing Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification Programs.

Related links:

http://www.mdoc.state.ms.us/victims_of_crime.htm

https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/siteInfoAction.do?siteId=25000

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/