Pike launches first victim notification network in region

Milford — In the midst of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Pike County District Attorney Doug Jacobs Wednesday unveiled a new automated victim notification system to help victims of crime track the status of an offender housed in the Pike County Correctional Facility. The automated network will allow Pennsylvania residents to receive real-time information about the custody status of offenders. They can 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. Users can call the toll-free number 1-866-972-7284 for live, operator assistance or log onto www.pacrimevictims.state.pa.us. Live telephone operators assist victims who need help obtaining offender information or registering for notification. Technical support professionals monitor and maintain the network to ensure high reliability and availability of this life-saving service, which is free to the public. Known as PA SAVIN, the notification enhancement is part of a new statewide, automated victim notification system that is expected to be available in all 63 counties with jails by October 2008. “Victims of crime can now have access to knowing when an inmate is released from jail 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Victim/Witness Coordinator Mary Beth Sayles. “Access to the Web site and toll-free number can help give peace of mind to anyone who is concerned about someone getting out of a county jail.” The county-based PA SAVIN system complements an existing system operated by the state Office of Victim Advocate that provides notification to crime victims regarding offenders within the state Department of Corrections and the state Board of Probation and Parole.