Font Size:

In This Page

 VineLink.com Graphic

History of VINE

The National Vine Call Center was created first for the Jefferson County, KY, Corrections Department in response to the murder of a young woman at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. 21 year-old Mary Byron was gunned down by Donovan Harris after he was released from jail without her knowledge. Harris had been arrested two weeks earlier for kidnapping Byron and raping her at gunpoint.

What is VINE?

VINE is a free, 24-hour, automated telephone service that will allow you to:

  • Check on an inmate's custody status.
  • Register to receive automatic notification when an inmate leaves the custody of the Will
  • County Adult Detention Facility.

How Do I Use VINE?

You can locate an inmate using either the name or booking number of the inmate.

A series of computer prompts will assist you in locating the inmate.

VINE will give you inmate custody information and the option of registering for automatic telephone notification if the inmate is released or transferred.

How do I register with VINE?

After locating the inmate, choose the option number for registration.

You need to provide:

  • The telephone number where you wish to be notified.
  • A 4-digit Personal Identification Number ( PIN Code ).
  • Once registered, VINE will automatically call you when the inmate is released or transferred.
  • VINE will call you at regular intervals for up to 24 hours or until you enter your 4-digit PIN code.

What is a PIN Code?

  • Your 4-digit PIN code is used by the VINE service to confirm that you received the proper notification
  • You should choose a number that is easy to remember and write it down.
  • When VINE calls, you will need to enter your PIN code at the end of the notification message.
  • Entering your correct PIN is the only way to stop additional notification calls during the 24-hour period.

Important VINE facts:

  • VINE will call you automatically if the inmate is released or transferred. Be aware that you may receive a call from VINE any time, day or night.
  • All telephone registrations through the VINE hotline are anonymous. No one can access you telephone number or PIN code.
  • You must use a touch-tone phone to inquire about custody status or register for notification.
  • No one can change or cancel your registration.
  • You may register more than one phone number. Use the same PIN code for each registration.
  • If you have an answering machine or message service, VINE will leave a message and call back within 2 hours.
  • You may call VINE as often as you want from any location to check on an inmate's custody status.
  • The VINE service is available in English and Spanish.

For further information on VINE, call the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815.740.5560.

Orders of Protection

An Order of Protection is a court order available to "family or household members" prohibiting the abuser from certain activities or ordering the abuser to take certain actions.

An Order of Protection may include, but is not limited to:

  • Prohibiting an abuser from continued threats and abuse: ABUSE: physical abuse, harassment, intimidation, interference with personal liberty or willful deprivation, not including the reasonable direction of a minor child by a parent or person acting in place of a parent.
  • Barring an abuser temporarily from the home and ordering the abuser to stay away from the victim's place of employment, school, etc.;
  • Ordering the abuser to pay child support, medical costs and legal expenses;
  • Awarding child custody and prohibiting child abduction and requiring abuser to undergo counseling.

To obtain an Order of Protection, you may do any of the following:

  • Contact a nearby domestic violence or legal advocacy program and ask for assistance.
  • Go to your local circuit clerk's office and request the necessary paperwork.
  • Ask your attorney to file a petition in civil court.
  • Request an order in conjunction with divorce proceedings; or
  • Request an order during the course of a criminal prosecution.

If an Order of Protection is violated, the abuser has committed a Class A Misdemeanor and should be arrested. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 Felony. You may seek an Order of Protection on behalf of someone who cannot because of age, health, or disability.

Order of Protection Information

Information On How To Obtain An Emergency Order of Protection

Victim Assistance Services

The following agencies provide a variety of victim services:

Will County State's Attorney's Office

121 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 60432
Victim / Witness Advocate
815-727-8819

Groundwork

1550 Plainfield Road
Joliet, IL 60435
815-729-1228

Family Counseling Agency of Will County

2317 West Jefferson, Suite 126
Joliet, IL 60435
815-741-0846

Will County Legal Assistance

5 East Van Buren, Suite 310
Joliet, IL 60432
815-727-5123

Illinois Department of Corrections

Victim Assistance Services
1301 Concordia Court, P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277
217-522-2666, ext. 4006

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault

217-753-4117

NOVA
National Organization for Victim Assistance

1-800-TRY-NOVA

National Victim Center

1-800-FYI-CALL