Frequently Asked Questions
What is SC VINE?
How does SC VINE work?
What are the benefits of SC VINE?
Who can use the SC VINE service?
What should I tell victims about SC VINE?
Additional important information about SC VINE
What is SC VINE?
SC VINE is a service that provides victims of crime and those who serve them information on offenders in custody, as well as notifications on status changes.
SC VINE monitors the status of offenders in custody at 43 participating county detention centers, two prison work camps and two city jails; as well as the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), and the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS).
Notifications are available in English and Spanish and the system is supported by 24-hour assistance from trained victim service representatives.
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How does SC VINE work?
Every 15 minutes, updated data is collected from booking and offender management systems, and transmitted to a secured central database. This information is then searchable by:
Note: For DOC Offenders, (those incarcerated in a state prison) crime victims must register for notification through the South Carolina Department of Corrections' Division of Victim Services by calling 1-800-835-0304. Once registered, a PIN code will be assigned that must be used to access messages via automated telephone calls. No PIN code is necessary for email or text messaging.
For offenders on parole or probation (SCDPPPS), automated notifications are not available at this time. Please call the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons Victim Services at 1-888-551-4118.
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What are the benefits of SC VINE?
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Who can use SC VINE?
Anyone concerned with the status of an adult offender may call the toll-free number, 1-866-727-2846, search https://www.vinelink.com or download the mobile app. Victims, as defined by state statute, may register through any of the methods listed, or through any participating law enforcement agency’s victim advocate. Through any method chosen, personal information is always kept secure.
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What should I tell victims about SC VINE?
Victims should know that SC VINE is available to assist them in learning the status of an offender at any time. All SC VINE registrations are anonymous and confidential. Victims should also know that they can opt out of the service at any time if they no longer wish to receive notifications.
Back to Top
How does SC VINE work?
What are the benefits of SC VINE?
Who can use the SC VINE service?
What should I tell victims about SC VINE?
Additional important information about SC VINE
What is SC VINE?
SC VINE is a service that provides victims of crime and those who serve them information on offenders in custody, as well as notifications on status changes.
SC VINE monitors the status of offenders in custody at 43 participating county detention centers, two prison work camps and two city jails; as well as the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), and the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS).
Notifications are available in English and Spanish and the system is supported by 24-hour assistance from trained victim service representatives.
Back to Top
How does SC VINE work?
Every 15 minutes, updated data is collected from booking and offender management systems, and transmitted to a secured central database. This information is then searchable by:
- Toll-free telephone - 1-866-727-2846
- Internet - vinelink.com
- Mobile app for Apple or Android devices
- Offender Name
- Secondary search options if there is more than one offender with the same name:
- Middle Initial
- Date of Birth
- Offender Number
- Telephone where they can be contacted or
- Valid email address or
- Cellphone that can receive text messages (SMS)
Note: For DOC Offenders, (those incarcerated in a state prison) crime victims must register for notification through the South Carolina Department of Corrections' Division of Victim Services by calling 1-800-835-0304. Once registered, a PIN code will be assigned that must be used to access messages via automated telephone calls. No PIN code is necessary for email or text messaging.
For offenders on parole or probation (SCDPPPS), automated notifications are not available at this time. Please call the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons Victim Services at 1-888-551-4118.
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What are the benefits of SC VINE?
- The assistance for victims via trained victim service representatives, 24 hours a day
- Constant monitoring of all automated systems
- Frees staff time to focus on core responsibilities
- Satisfies legislative requirements for victim notification
- Provides records and a history of notification
- Notifications can be made in English or Spanish, via telephone, text messaging, TTY or email.
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Who can use SC VINE?
Anyone concerned with the status of an adult offender may call the toll-free number, 1-866-727-2846, search https://www.vinelink.com or download the mobile app. Victims, as defined by state statute, may register through any of the methods listed, or through any participating law enforcement agency’s victim advocate. Through any method chosen, personal information is always kept secure.
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What should I tell victims about SC VINE?
Victims should know that SC VINE is available to assist them in learning the status of an offender at any time. All SC VINE registrations are anonymous and confidential. Victims should also know that they can opt out of the service at any time if they no longer wish to receive notifications.
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- SC VINE cannot guarantee the safety of crime victims.
- Anyone can access SC VINE for custody status information.
- Offenders cannot access SC VINE to see who has registered for notifications.
- SC VINE monitors offenders who are in South Carolina state prisons and county detention facilities, those who are under community supervision with the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services or in the custody of the SC Department of Juvenile Justice.
- SC VINE cannot track adult offenders who are on “bond” and out of custody. If no custody information is available through SC VINE, it can be assumed the offender has been released from custody.
- SC VINE cannot track offenders housed within mental health facilities or display information regarding juveniles.
- Victims must re-register with SC VINE when an adult offender is transferred between agencies (e.g., transfer from a county detention center to the Department of Corrections).
- If a registrant moves or changes their phone number or other contact information, they are responsible for updating that information with SC VINE.
- Registration for Department of Corrections’ notifications is accomplished by contacting that agency’s Division of Victim Services.
- Those calling from a rotary phone can remain on the toll-free phone line and receive assistance from an operator.
- SC VINE notification calls are made for 48-hours or until the four-digit PIN code is entered.
- SC VINE is available in English and Spanish. For those who need assistance with other languages, live operator assistance is available in more than 200 other languages via the toll-free line.
- The VINELink web portal and mobile app both have a Google feature that will translate the information into several different languages to assist those who may not read English or Spanish.
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