Automated Victim Notification: The Landscape in the US

• NCJ Number: 248435
• Author(s): Kristina Rose; Seri Irazola; Emily Niedzwiecki; Brent Myers; Patrick McCreary
• Date Published: January 2014
• Length: 0 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This Webinar, hosted by Harvard University, discusses automated victim notification (AVN) systems and presents findings from the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) study.

Abstract

First introduced two decades ago, automated victim notification (AVN) systems have been touted as an effective way to notify crime victims at a reduced burden to the criminal justice system with timely information about court events and status changes (such as release or transfer) regarding their offender. Recently, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) released the first-ever nationwide evaluation of the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) program. This in-depth study, by ICF International, evaluates: 1) how the systems operate; 2) how effective they are; and 3) lessons learned, including cost and sustainability. The findings of the study are particularly significant in light of the indefinite suspension, in 2011, of federal funding for SAVIN. Some states have identified sustainable funding streams, but others are changing the structure of their AVN system or suspending some services. Many jurisdictions are uncertain about the implications if their AVN system ceases operation, particularly in terms of their ability to meet related mandates regarding notification. This event was hosted by the Harvard University.