Has anybody heard of an organization( or whatever) called The Vine that supposedly calls you anytime your loved one gets moved, in trouble sick, ect?? A freind of mine says that all you have to do is signs up and they keep an eye out on your man... she just couldn't remember the number... anybody heard of this?

I use it to keep track of my ex as we have to serve him with some paperwork soon. I use the email notification and it is super easy to register and they seem to update right away depending on the state. The web address is www.vinelink.com (http://www.vinelink.com)

KeyJo, girl, you never fail to impress me! I knew about the 800# but a website, that's for me. Well, it was, I put in hubby's info and said no offender found. Alrighty then, better see him at home when I get there!!

Texas is the worst on this website. My husband has been in 10 months and still not listed. But, my ex is in Nebraska and I know when he breathes wrong. Just depends on the state.

I thought it only worked for county in tx...as far as the notifications go and stuff. They called me when Eric went to TDCJ from county but otherwise that is all I have gotten out of them! Go figure...we are in TX what else more could I have expected!

I know of the one in Kentucky, It is probably the same as the one in Texas. It is supposed to be a warning for victims of inmates. They notify you when they are released or the status of thier case has changed. It started years ago when a girl was murdered by an inmate she put in jai! I registered throw the kentucky state website maybe Texas has the same... However my ex has moved prisons and his release date has changed and they have never called me!!!

I think Vine is supposed to stand for Victim Information Network?

It worked wonderfully for me. They called me 1 month before my ex was released, at 2 weeks before and then everyday for a week!!!! They wanted to make sure I knew he was getting out!!!

I'd like to make a big clarification... VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. PLEASE do not sign up for this service unless you are the victim of the crime. It's not meant to track your loved ones around in the prison system. It's only meant for the protection or crime victims. Please reserve it's use for that.

why what difference does it make?

Can anyone with a better memory help me out with this...

I seem to remember some time ago that there was a gal on here who used VINE to keep track of her guy. But then it backfired. Since she signed up as a "victim" they took all contact between her and guy away. I don't remember what state, forum, etc this was in, but I know I read it here. Anyone else remember this? Or am I senile :D

It's just simply not fair to the victims of crimes. That's what the program is meant for, that's how it's PAID for. Do you park in a handicap parking spot even if you're not handicapped just because it's there? Probably not. Similar reasoning to your question.

freckledgrl - that story does sound vaguely familiar. Let me know if you find out!

It is http://www.vinelink.com/index.jsp and it is truly meant for victims, however, you can track the status of inmates through their website.

Thank you, Slainte. You can look up inmates in most states on that site but PLEASE do not sign up for notification unless you are the victim of the crime.

FYI to ALL..Texas Vine only records COUNTY inmates. I know. I've done the registering and so forth for my ex....keeps me informed but only on a county level.

And as said above this is truly for victims.

We are nobodys!!!

It seems the service costs the same no matter how many people sign up for notification. If it costs the victims more money because more people signed up then I could understand not doing so, but if it costs the same no matter what then why does it matter

I don't want to get into a debate about this... I simply believe that because it was created for victims that should be its primary purpose. It's not a case of we are nobodies here... It's a great service to have available to us, but it shouldn't be abused. I use it to look people up, but will not sign up for the notification because that is not what the intention of the site is. Difficult to explain, just my personal value system...

And before this thread gets out of control... let's keep all of this civil please.

Thanks...