LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Crime victims in the United States have been automatically notified about the release, transfer, or escape of an offender from jail or prison, on more than a million occasions in the last nine years, thanks to VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday). Appriss Inc., provider of the VINE service, announced the numbers today following an extensive review of company databases. VINE allows crime victims to learn the custody or court status of an offender, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by telephone or the web. Victims also have the option to register to be notified automatically upon a change in custody or court status.

"Our research also found that there have been more than 22 million calls, to and from VINE, since the service began in ," said Jim Brentlinger, Appriss' director of technical support. "That averages approximately 400,000 VINE calls a month."

VINE was created in Louisville, Ky. as a response to the shooting death of Mary Byron in December . She was killed by a former boyfriend who had been jailed for raping her weeks before. He posted bond without her knowledge and shot her to death on her 21st birthday.

"It is amazing to think about all of the changes that have occurred since VINE began," said Mike Davis, Appriss president. "What started out as a small system for one community has expanded to serve victims in more than 1,400 communities in 36 states."

Appriss recently joined the Mary Byron Foundation to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Byron's death and reflect on the positive changes that have occurred for crime victims.

"Over the years, Appriss has received numerous accounts of how crime victims were able to escape their offenders because of a phone call from VINE," said Davis. "Some people have said they believe their lives were saved as a result of the call."

Appriss provides innovative technology solutions that help governments serve and protect their citizens. In addition to VINE, Appriss has partnered with AT&T Government Solutions Inc. to provide automated notification services to victims of Federal crimes through the U.S. Department of Justice. Other innovative products and services include JusticeXchange, an Integrated Criminal Justice application, and Call2Court, a suite of products that improve court efficiency.

Source: Appriss Inc.