VINE System

Through computer generated telephone calls, all registered persons will be contacted at a predetermined telephone number when an inmate is scheduled for release or if an inmate escapes from custody. In addition to victims, law enforcement agencies and the general public will have access to housing locations and release information through the 24-hour telephone service.

A person requesting to be notified should call the toll-free VINE number (1-800-511-1670) using a touch-tone telephone, to register for notification. The system will begin to call a victim for an established period of time or until the requesting party acknowledges the receipt of the release information.

Victim-Witness Protection

Protective services are limited to:

Utilization of this program is at the discretion of the law enforcement agency handling the case. For more information contact the Crime Victim's Information Line at 1-800-372-2551.

Sex Offender Notification

The web site contains offender information including name, age, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, hair and eye color, a photograph, aliases used, residence, a brief description of the crime or crimes committed, and other information the Justice Cabinet determines may be useful in the identification of offenders. The web site will be updated every day except weekends and state holidays. Because the Internet site is so widely available and offender information can be freely shared, the Sheriff is no longer required to give notice to the community when an offender is released from custody.

The expanded law requires the following persons to register on the sex offender registry system: any person eighteen year of age or older at the time of the offense or any youthful offender who has committed or attempted to commit a felony sex crime (including rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, incest, unlawful transaction with a minor); or who has committed, attempted to commit or solicited a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor (including kidnapping (except by a parent); unlawful confinement except by a parent; promoting sexual performance of a minor; promoting prostitution when the defendant advances or profits from the prostitution of a person under the age of eighteen; use of a minor in a sexual performance; sexual abuse; any sexually violent predator and any person convicted of a similar crime in a another state, territory or military court. This law is applicable to those offenders sentenced by a Kentucky court or in a Kentucky detention facility and to those offenders convicted of similar crimes in other states who move to Kentucky after they are released. The offender must register with the local Probation & Parole officer on or before the date of his or her release. Offenders who fail to register or who knowingly provides false registration information may be charged with class D felony. Certain offenders must register for a lifetime, others for a period of 10 years. No registrant may be relieved of their obligation to register unless their conviction is overturned or they receive a pardon.

If a survivor wants to be notified when the offender who assaulted her or him is released from jail or prison, they should register with VINE (1-800-511-1670). This will assure that they are contacted directly when the offender is released. They can subsequently use the offender registry web site to find out information, such as where the offender is living, if they so choose. For more information about the offender registry and the web site, contact the Department of Corrections, 502-564-2024.

Rape Victim Assistance Program

Crime Victims Compensation

In order to be eligible for benefits:

Forms are available from law enforcement, hospitals, rape crisis centers and prosecutors' offices or by writing or calling: Crime Victims Compensation Board
130 Brighton Park Boulevard
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(502) 573-2290

Other Rights