Common Questions About VINE
I did not register for VINE. Why do I receive these calls and how can I stop them?
The phone company might have assigned you a phone number that once belonged to a victim who registered with VINE. The victim forgot to report his or her new phone number to VINE and so you "inherited" the VINE calls. Here's what you can do:
(1) Call the Department of Corrections at (888)223-6332 during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The victim programs manager can cancel the VINE registration associated with your number.
(2) Prison victim information officers also may be able to cancel the VINE registration associated with your phone number if you request assistance during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (406) 247-5102 for Montana Women's Prison of (406) 846-1320 X2201 at Montana State Prison (all male inmates).
Does VINE ensure my safety?
The VINE program is designed to provide you with quick and easy access to offender information and to assist you in preparing for an offender's release from prison. Do not depend solely on VINE or any other program for your safety. For assistance with safety planning, contact a local victim/witness advocate or call the DOC victim programs manager at (888) 223-6332 for a referral.
VINE calls are filling up my voice mailbox. How can I stop them?
If you are not at home to receive calls, we recommend that you register for VINE notification via email rather than phone. VINE will send you one email for each custody status "event" and you do not need to confirm with a PIN.
What if I'm not at home or my phone is busy when VINE calls?
The VINE service makes every effort to notify you. If there is not answer or the line is busy, VINE will continue to call periodically for at least 24 hours or until you enter your personal identification number(PIN). VINE will leave messages on an answering machine or voice mail, but still continues to call for 24 hours or until the PIN is entered.
Can I register more than one telephone number with VINE?
Yes, but you will need to register each number separately. We recommend that you use the
same PIN for all your registrations.
Who owns VINE?
The Montana Department of Corrections and most other states purchase VINE from Appriss, Inc., which operates a central call center in Louisville, Kentucky. VINE receives information about Montana offenders several times a day from the DOC offender database.
I don't like automated systems. Can I get help from a "real" person?
VINE provides live operator assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The operators in Kentucky understand each state's unique system. To speak to a VINE operator, call (800) 456-3076 and press zero(0) or stay on the line. you may also call the Montana Department of Corrections Victim Programs Manager in Helena, Montana, for VINE registration assistance at (888) 223-6332.
What if I don't have a touch-tone phone?
If you are calling from a rotary dial phone, stay on the line and a VINE operator will assist you. Be aware that VINE notification calls to a rotary phone cannot be stopped with a personal identification number(PIN).
What if I have caller ID or call blocking?
The VINE national call center is located in Louisville, KY, even though Montana VINE is managed by the Department of Corrections in Helena. If you have caller ID or a similar feature on your phone, VINE notifications will be displayed as out of your calling area.
