Managers of Utah's Crime Victims' Reparations Fund are asking the Legislature for help in making sure their VINE system doesn't die.

In 2004 the board that manages the fund that helps victims of crimes launched the VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) system, which allows crime victims 24-hour access to information about their perpetrators via phone and e-mail. For free, people can register with VINE and receive automated notices if an inmate is released from prison or jail statewide, or if they have an upcoming court date. The system is contracted through a private company that provides similar VINE service to other states.

The victims' fund shelled out $438,100 to get the system started in April 2004. Since then, more than 4,500 residents have registered and calls have increased 600 percent monthly since it began.

On Wednesday, fund officials told members of the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee that it can't keep funding VINE along with other obligations.

VINE is funded out of $17 million the Crime Victims' Reparations Fund receives in surcharges and fees imposed by the courts.

Part of the problem, said Dave Walsh, director of programs and budget for the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, is that during leaner budget times the Legislature required the fund to pay for the diagnostic division at the Utah Department of Corrections. The division prepares pre-sentence reports, which judges use to determine sentencing.

Ron Gordon, director of the Office of Crime Victims Reparations, said his office's surplus budget has been whittled down from $15 million to $8 million. He proposed that either the diagnostic division or VINE be funded through the general fund.

Victims advocates said VINE is a much-improved step ahead of the state's old victim notification system, which was run through the Utah Board of Pardons. Doug Fawson, with the Office of Victim Services, pointed to the case of a serial rapist who was charged with 17 counts of rape for 17 victims. In a plea deal, the man pleaded guilty to two of the counts, meaning only two of the 17 victims qualified to be informed by the parole board once the man was released. Under VINE, anyone can be notified of an inmate's release, Fawson said.

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Committee co-chair, Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, among other committee members, said they had never even heard of the VINE program until now. "I would imagine most people don't know it's out there," Buttars said, adding the system could use some publicity.

There is also a proposal to expand VINE to include notification on protective warrants. "The most dangerous time for a victim is when a protective order is served," said Jennifer Hemenway, an information analyst for CCJJ. In total, funding for VINE with protective order information will come to near half a million dollars.

Committee members have asked that state officials provide more information on funding options.


E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com

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