Louisiana Victims Notification Program

LSA-R.S. 15:1229 created Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS) within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE). The statute requires the LCLE to set up a system that will permit crime victims and their families to obtain information pertaining to the custody status of the perpetrator of the offense committed against them. The described information is to be provided automatically via computerized data collection and notification, and through direct inquiry by the victim and/or their family.

St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office is presently on-line with the LAVNS system and is currently supplying booking information to Vine Link. A toll free number 1-866-528-6748 is available to call the LAVNS hotline directly from any touch-tone phone, to locate an offender in a parish jail, state prison, or to register for notification. If you have internet access, you can click here. If you need assistance with registration or have any questions, call 985-652-9513 Ext 8702, or send  email here.

LAVNS will automatically collect offender transaction data from the state’s sixty-four (64) parish jail systems, the state Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association (LDAA) at regular intervals on a seven days per week, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year basis (7/24/365 basis). Data collected by LAVNS will include offender transactions from the parish jails and the DOC, as well as court offender transaction data reported by the LDAA. Offender transactions are defined as any and all intake, bookings, transfers, releases, escapes, and deaths that occur in the parish jail systems and the DOC.

The collected data will be stored in a central database, and will be made available to victims and the general public on a call-in basis or by accessing the LAVNS website. Automatic notification will be made to those individuals registering to receive notification on a transaction involving a particular offender. Those individuals registering to automatically be notified of a transaction involving the offender for whom they registered will also be issued a Personal Identification Number (PIN) whereby they can readily access information on the offender by simply dialing in LAVNS. An Internet web site will also be established where users could go to access the information by use of their PIN.

LAVNS will communicate with the general public and registered users in English, Spanish, French, and Vietnamese. A call center will be maintained on a 7 /24 /365 basis whereby the general public and registered users may call in and speak with an operator to receive the needed data, rather than receive offender data via interaction with the computer database alone.

Training will be provided to agency and victim services personnel on the use of LAVNS. Public service announcements will be made to the general public on the availability and use of LAVNS. By the end of March, 2004, twenty-eight parishes will be transmitting data to LAVNS, with statewide operation expected by November 2004.

Victim Assistance Services

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I participate in the LAVNS Program? 
To locate an offender in a parish jail, state prison, or to register for notification, call the LAVNS hotline directly from a touch-tone phone toll free @  1-866-528-6748 , or internet at VineLink.com
 
Once connected, follow the prompts given the LAVNS system,  During registration you will be asked to provide a telephone number and a four-digit PIN.  LAVNS is available in English, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  Offenders housed in a municipal jail facility may not be included in the LAVNS database.

What is a PIN? 
The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a four-digit number chosen by you.  Your PIN is used to confirm receipt of notification calls from LAVNS.  Choose a number that is easy for you to remember and write it down.

What if I forget my PIN number? 
If you forget your PIN number  you can go to the Data Processing Division of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, and after proper identification is established your PIN can be retrieved.   The Data Processing Division is available Monday – Friday,  8:30am to 4:30pm,  excluding holidays.  Call  985-652-9513  Ext 8702 for more info.

What if I’m not at home or my phone is busy when LAVNS calls? 
LAVNS is designed to allow every opportunity for you to be notified.  If there is no answer or the line is busy, LAVNS will continue to call for 24 hours or until the PIN is entered.

Can I register more that one telephone number with LAVNS? 
Yes, but each registration must be done separately and requires a PIN.  You may use the same PIN for several registrations.

Does LAVNS ensure my safety? 
LAVNS is designed to provide you with quick and easy access to offender information and to assist you in preparing for an offender’s release.  DO NOT depend solely on LAVNS or any other program for your safety.

Who sponsors LAVNS? 
LAVNS is provided by the Office of the governor, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and participating law enforcement agencies within Louisiana