Virginia VINE is a free, automated service that provides virtual real-time notifications about an offender’s custody status.
Anytime someone in one of Virginia’s local or regional jails or Department of Corrections’ prisons gets released, transferred, escapes, dies in custody or more, Virginia VINE users can receive an anonymous phone call, email, text, or TTY message to let them know what’s happened.
This anonymous service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone, internet or mobile app, providing timely, reliable information that could save lives and provide a sense of empowerment to victims across the Commonwealth.
Virginia VINE services
The Virginia VINE program encompasses several services supporting Virginians affected by crime, all of which are provided at no cost, including:
- information on the location of an incarcerated offender
- offender custody status notifications
- information for victims on resources and services
- protective order notifications
- sex offender registry notifications
- training on how to use Virginia VINE both personally and professionally
- awareness materials to use in localities
Offender status notifications
For offender status information, victims and other interested members of the public may search for an offender in a local or regional jail in Virginia and may register to be notified if an incarcerated offender is transferred to another facility, escapes, or is released.
Anyone can sign up to keep track of an offender, either for personal reasons or as part of an investigation.
Service provider directory
In addition to important custody status information, people can search for help and support across the state of Virginia, as well as national hotlines and resources. The service provider directory lists agencies from emergency shelters and counseling groups, to those providing financial assistance and legal aid.
VINE Protective Order (VPO) notifications
VINE Protective Order (VPO) notifications provide automated updates about preliminary and permanent (final) orders, including when they have been served and expiration information. To register, you must have your PO number, the city/county of issuance, and the name of the respondent. Registration is confidential.
Sex Offender Registry notifications
People may also search for registrants on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry and request notifications about any change to a registered offender’s status, including if they have moved to a new work or home address.
Virginia VINE: Tracking Offenders and Assisting Victims of Crime, a 30-minute online course is available at no cost. There is no registration requirement for this training. View it anytime, anywhere.
Classroom – In-person or virtual training
Facilitator-led Virginia VINE training is available throughout the year, as well as on request, to law enforcement personnel, advocates and other community stakeholders.
For more information, or to request training, please contact us.
Virginia VINE awareness materials
Printed Virginia VINE Materials
NCPI provides brochures, cards, flyers and manuals for victim witness advocates, law enforcement professionals and others at no cost.
To request free Virginia VINE materials for distribution in your locality, please contact us.
Virginia VINE Video Library
Subscribe to the Virginia VINE Youtube channel for videos explaining VINE and how it can benefit victims of crime.