Statewide Automated Victim Information Notification (SAVIN) Program

The SAVIN Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), helps protect victims and survivors of crime from further victimization and ensures their rights are secured by providing registered individuals with timely and accurate information about any important dates and developments relating to the criminal proceedings at issue in their case (e.g., trial dates, times, or changes; probation hearings; inmate relocation; and offender release). This program allows victims and survivors to discretely receive information that can help them make informed decisions about their level of participation in the legal process. Effective SAVIN programs require broad multiagency support, increased victim safety, compliance with legislative requirements, and minimization of costs associated with keeping registered participants informed throughout the criminal justice process. SAVIN programs provide a single point of shared services for victims located anywhere in a state to learn about the status of their offender's case. Key SAVIN components include: • Governance: An authorized statewide agency to oversee the planning and implementation of the SAVIN program. The administering agency should establish a governance process that includes representatives of criminal justice and law enforcement agencies, technology staff, and victim advocates, including direct participation of a cross-section of victims of crime to guide the development and delivery of SAVIN services. The governance committee or board should meet (in person or via conference call) on a regular basis to discuss help inform the progress of the grant goals and objectives and the overall SAVIN program. • Technology: The use of technology solutions designed to collect, manage, and share critical information to and from victims that provide these services in a timely, confidential, and cost-effective manner. • Program Management: An organizational structure that will execute the program as directed by the established governance process and will enable the state to establish or expand existing notification capabilities based upon measures of the effectiveness of the program by collecting data on victims and survivors served and cost effectiveness. For example, conducting surveys with victims and survivors to ensure that the system is meeting their needs.