Coping with trauma after a violent incident can trigger long-lasting effects. This is true even when the perpetrator has been convicted and sentenced to prison. Years in the making, a new state one-stop website now offers a measure of security and information to those who have been victims of violent and other crimes and wish to keep track of their offender.

Developed in conjunction with input from law, legal and court task forces, and entities such as VOCAL and MADD, the Alabama Victim Notification System is a new tool that will allow crime victims to receive notice of parole hearings and other changes in an inmate’s status or custody. That information will include such things as an upcoming parole or pardon hearing; or an Alabama Department of Correction inmate’s participation in work release, furlough, leave or mandatory supervised release.

A two-week soft launch in March saw thousands of Alabamians utilizing the new portal with success. Now, the site is being made to all crime victims and the public who can choose how they wish to be notified, either by text or email. In an important addition, the site can also eschew computer or phone notifications and send the information to a registered user by the US mail.

Although there are currently other monitoring sites available, the VNS will serve as Alabama’s automated notification system so that victims don’t have to register with multiple state agencies. Notifications will not include specific information about the inmate, but instead will provide a link to that to the official notice on the website.

It’s important to note that VNS is only for offenders who have been convicted and sentenced to ADOC custody, but if this applies to your situation you can register now at victims.alabama.gov.