With the postal service proving erratic in some parts of Virginia and people reluctant to answer phone calls from numbers they don’t recognize, Virginia’s Department of Corrections has rolled out a new system for keeping in touch with the victims of crime.
“Welcome to Notification and Assistance for Victim Inclusion. NAVI is a victim-centered, user-friendly online platform,” says Amber Leake, director of Victim Services, in a video introducing the $253,000 program.
She explains that a notice will go out if an inmate is transferred to a different prison, changes his or her name, is paroled or released.
“Victims can voluntarily register to receive notifications for perpetrators who are incarcerated with our agency via a text message, an automated phone call, an automated e-mail, a letter in the mail or a combination of the four,” Leake explains.
The service is available to anyone who has suffered physical, emotional or financial harm as the direct result of a felony or certain misdemeanors and to the families of victims. The state informs them when a prisoner is getting out and which probation district is responsible for supervision. I’m Sandy Hausman.
To sign up, call 800- 560-4292 or visit victimservices@vadoc.virginia.gov
