Enhancements to the Delaware Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) Program

The Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) program (authorized by Pub.L. 111-8, and guided in part by the general principles of 42 U.S.C. §10603e) ensures victims of crime receive accurate and timely information regarding the status of offenders and events related to their cases. Through SAVIN, victims are able to participate in the judicial process and make sound decisions to protect themselves from further victimization while maintaining total anonymity. This information-sharing capability is also available to courts, corrections, and law enforcement officials.

The Delaware State Police (DSP) will use the FY 2009 SAVIN award to enhance the state's notification system. DSP's goal is to improve the current program's ability to provide accurate and timely information on an offender's incarceration status to the victim. The grant will allow for the present paper-based postal delivery notification system to become an electronic-based system. The electronic notification system will convey to the victim information about movement of incarcerated offenders, court hearings, court scheduling changes, and other necessary information. DPS will serve as grant recipient, and the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS) will have the responsibility for oversight of the project. The DELJIS will coordinate the SAVIN program with a governance committee comprising the DSP, Departments of Corrections and Justice, Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, Office of the Public Defender, State Courts, Public Defender, law enforcement, residents, and victims. Both DSP and DELJIS will monitor the program as it moves beyond the grant period into sustainment.

CA/NCF