Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered here, please contact us and we will attempt to assist you.
Q: How do I obtain information about my offender through VINE?
A: Dial 1-800-511-1670 and follow the instructions. You only need to know either the offender's name or number. You can also go to the VINELINK (
) website.
Q: How do I register to be notified when my offender's custody changes?
A: When you call the VINE Line at 1-800-511-1670 for information on your offender, you will be given the opportunity to register for notification. You can also go to the VINELINK website.
Q: How do I provide input to the Parole Board concerning my offender?
A: Contact the Parole Board at 1-800-221-5991 and inform them you wish to provide input to a hearing.
Q: Where can I find information about other services provided for Kentucky crime victims?
A: See our Links to Victim Resources, Contact our Victim Advocate through our Staff Directory, or contact the Victim Advocate in the office of your County Attorney or the Commonwealth Attorney for your district.
Q: Where can I find information about where an offender will be after he has been paroled?
A: Contact the Parole Board at 1-800-221-5991
Q: Where can I find information about an offender's early release?
A: Contact our office at 1-502-564-5061, or 1-877-OVS-6818 (toll-free), or through our Staff Directory link.
Q: Can I get information about offenders in other states?
A: Go to the VINELINK Website at www.vinelink.com. ()
Q: How can I get on the mailing list for the OVS Mailings?
A: Contact us through the OVS Staff Directory link
Q: My offender was transferred from one prison to another and I was not notified. Does this mean the system failed?
A: No. The system has not failed. Currently we notify registered victims when an offender is transferred from one jail to another, but movement from one DOC institution to another does not trigger a notification call.
Q: If an inmate escapes from a prison in my community can I be notified?
A: Yes. Click on this AlertXpress link to get information about the Community Escape Notification system,.
Q: When I enter the name for my offender there are 2 records for him. Why is that?
A: There are certain DOC offenders who are eligible to be housed in local jails. These offenders will have both a DOC record and a local Jail record.
Q: When an offender is arrested, how long do I have to wait to register for that offender?
A: Our VINE system is connected directly to the booking system of the local jails. Within 15 minutes of an offender being booked into or out of the jail, that offender's record will be available for registration or notification.
Q: Can I get information about an offender's location after he has served out his sentence and has been released?
A: No. Once an offender has served out his sentence he is no longer under the authority of the DOC. However, if he is a SEX OFFENDER, he will be required to register with the Kentucky State police Sex Offender Registry. You may check Registry by calling 1-866-564-5652 (Toll-Free), or you can go directly to their website at http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/sor.htm. ()
Q: I have forgotten my PIN number. How do I get the notification calls to stop?
A: Contact the VINE Program Staff at 1-502-564-5061 or 1-877-OVS-6818 (toll-free).
Q: I am getting calls almost every hour about an inmate getting released from prison and I have no idea who he is or why I'm getting notified. Am I in danger from this person and what can I do to stop these calls?
A: If you are receiving notification calls, that means someone has registered your phone number with the VINE system. If you are positive no one at your home registered to be notified, there are two other possibilities:
Either someone entered your number in error, or more likely, if your phone number has been assigned to you within the past 2 or 3 years, it was registered by the previous owner of the number, and the registration was not cancelled when the victim gave up that number.
In either case you are not in danger. The VINE system registrations are totally anonymous. Call the VINE Program Staff at 1-502-564-5061 or 1-877-OVS-6818 (toll-free), and they will assist you in getting your number removed from the registration data base.