VICTIM NOTIFICATION C-370 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: NOTICE TO VICTIM OF INMATE'S RELEASE OR ESCAPE NO: C-370
FILE: VICTIM NOTIFICATION
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03-12-96 REVISED: 11-01-98, 09-01-99, 03-01-01
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Captain R. Wiley
REFERENCE: Penal Code Section 646.92 and Family Code Section 6211.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain a uniform method for notifying
victims and witnesses of a convicted inmate's release or escape from custody when
required to do so by law.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau to give notice
not less than 20 days prior to the release from custody of any person who is convicted of
PC 646.9 (stalking) or a felony offense involving domestic violence as defined in Section
6211 of the Family Code, to any person the court identifies as a victim of the offense, a
family member of the victim, or a witness to the offense, upon request.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau to immediately
give notice of the escape from custody of any person who is convicted of PC 646.9
(stalking) or a felony offense involving domestic violence as defined in Section 6211 of the
Family Code, to any person the court identifies as a victim of the offense, a family member
of the victim, or a witness to the offense, if such request has been submitted.
PROCEDURES:
I. PERSONS ENTITLED TO NOTIFICATION OF AN INMATE'S RELEASE
Upon request, the following persons shall receive notification that the inmate
convicted of stalking or felony domestic violence is due for imminent release
(or has escaped):
A. Any person the court identifies as a victim of the offense.
B. A family member of the victim.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: NOTICE TO VICTIM OF INMATE'S RELEASE OR ESCAPE NO: C-370
FILE: VICTIM NOTIFICATION
C. A witness to the offense.
II. VICTIMS' RESPONSIBILITY
A. Persons entitled to notification must submit their written request (along
with their current mailing address and telephone number)to the Sheriffs
Department Detention Bureau. The victim shall be responsible to keep
the Detention Bureau informed of their current mailing address and
telephone number to be entitled to receive notice.
B. A victim may designate another person for the purpose of receiving
notification. However, the duty to keep the Sheriff's Department
Detention Bureau informed of a current mailing address and telephone
number shall remain with the victim.
III. RECORDS SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES
When informed of a victim's request for inmate release notification, the
Records Supervisor shall insure that the following is performed:
A. A VICT (victim notification)event shall be initiated using the inmate's JID
number. The event shall be set for twenty (20)days prior to the inmate's
release. The requesting person's name, telephone number and address
shall be listed in the REMARKS section.
B. The notification requirement shall also be noted in the REMARKS section
of the inmate's affected JCHG screen.
C. When the event nags Records, the victim shall be notified by Records
staff by telephone and certified mail of the inmate's imminent release
from custody. A standard form letter shall be utilized for the notification
by mail.
D. If the inmate escapes from custody, the victim shall be immediately
notified by telephone and certified mail of the inmate's escape. A
standard form letter shall be utilized for the notification by mail.
E. All requests received, and notifications made, shall be scanned and
attached to the inmate's records.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: NOTICE TO VICTIM OF INMATE'S RELEASE OR ESCAPE NO: C-370
FILE: VICTIM NOTIFICATION
IV. CONFIDENTIALITY
All information relating to any person who has requested to receive notification
under this policy shall remain confidential and shall not be made available to
the affected inmate.
V. VINE
A. The VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system is a
computer-based, anonymous telephone service that allows ALL
members of the public to-
1. Check on an offender's custody status
2. Register to receive automatic notification when an inmate is
released from the Fresno County Jail system.
B. The toll-free telephone number is 1-800-491-5170. A series of computer
prompts will assist in locating an offender by utilizing their booking
number or name. VINE will provide inmate custody information and offer
the option of registering for automatic telephone notification if the
offender is released, transferred or escapes.
C. To register for notification, the person will need to provide a telephone
number and choose a personal identification number (PIN). More than
one phone number may be registered; the same PIN code should be
used for each registration.
1. The PIN code is used by the VINE service to confirm that the
person received proper notification. VINE will automatically call
when an offender is released, transferred or escapes.
2. When VINE calls, the person will need to enter their PIN code at
the end of the notification message. Entering the correct PIN is the
only way to stop additional notification calls.
3. If no one is home when VINE calls with notification, the service will
leave a message and call back within two hours.
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