Evaluation of the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) Program

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. The Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) Program (guided in part by the general principles of 42 USC 10603e) is intended to protect crime victims from further victimization and help ensure their legal rights are upheld by providing access to registration for timely and accurate notification about any changes to the status of their offender (e.g., trial dates and times, inmate relocation, offender release). As of Fiscal Year 2008, 33 States and Puerto Rico have received funding to develop, implement, and/or enhance their notification system; however, notification features differ from State to State and sometimes from county to county. This solicitation seeks applications for support of a national evaluation including State-level analyses that identify strategies for developing, implementing, and enhancing a victim notification system that fully addresses the needs and concerns of victims.