By William Bender
The Philadelphia Daily News
PHILADELPHIA — There are some phone calls that can’t wait until morning.
If the scumbag that assaulted your child was released from jail - or escaped - wouldn’t you want to know immediately?
Delaware County residents now have the ability to register for around-the-clock notices by phone or e-mail through the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification system, or PA SAVIN.
The system, launched in 2007, provides victims and their families up-to-date information about the custody of an assailant. It is now linked to 61 county prisons in Pennsylvania, including those in Philadelphia and its suburbs. State prisons are expected to join the network as early as next week.
“This notification system will help victims be more proactive, more empowered and better able to ensure their safety,” said Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green, who was joined yesterday by police chiefs and victim advocates.
Kim Ferrell, whose 16-year-old daughter, Faith Sinclair, was killed in 2008 by a hit-and-run driver, praised yesterday’s announcement. Ferrell said that when her daughter’s killer was released on bail, before SAVIN was implemented in the county, she wasn’t notified.
“With SAVIN, it’s going to give us more tools to be able to follow the offender,” she said. “I think this program is going to help so many families.”
There are no restrictions on who can access the prisoner information or register for notifications. A prisoner’s custody status is public record, said Deputy District Attorney John F.X. Reilly.
“You can register 24 hours a day and it will provide notifications 24 hours a day,” said Andrea Warner, SAVIN program manager at the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute.
To register, call 866-972-7284 or visit www.pacrimevictims.state.pa.us.
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