FRANKLIN, TN (WSMV) -
It's a lifeline for victims of crime. SAVIN, which stands for Statewide Automated Victim Information Notification Service, informs crime victims when a prisoner is released from jail.
Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Long told Channel 4 News that 83 counties in Tennessee are online with SAVIN. It provides timely information about offenders 24 hours a day. It will notify the victim by email, the Internet or by phone.
"A family may have had a loved one killed in the past, they want to keep up with the offender to know if he's gonna be released, they will notify them before he's released," said Long.
SAVIN, which is connected to 83 out of Tennessee's 95 county jails, runs on a shoestring budget, about $200,000 a year. The money is generated by a $1 court fee state-wide. The problem is that SAVIN is at the bottom of the funding list with other state agencies. It may just get pennies from that $1 fee.
Funding is such an issue that the manufacturer of the system hasn't been paid for a while.
"According to the manufacturer, they'll have to re-assess their position in June or July, to see if they can continue with the program or not," said Long.
There is a bill before the state legislature to increase the $1 court fee to $4, but there is not guarantee that the bill will pass.
SAVIN has been a topic of discussion at the Tennessee Sheriff's Association, which is meeting in Nashville this week. Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe credits the program with saving lives.
"It's probably saved lives we don't even know about," said Ashe.
For more information on the SAVIN program, visit: http://www.vinelink.com/
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