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The Witness Protection Program, also known as WITSEC, is a US government service that protects witnesses in major criminal cases from harm and intimidation. Witnesses must provide important evidence relating to serious crimes and may receive physical security, a new identity, and relocation. The program is for life as long as the witness does not commit an offense. Witnesses must comply with restrictions, including not returning to their former hometown or contacting former friends and acquaintances.
The Witness Protection Program is a service provided by the United States government that protects witnesses in major criminal cases from physical harm and intimidation. Among law enforcement agencies, the program is better known as the United States Federal Witness Security Program, or WITSEC. Under witness protection, someone will be provided with physical security as well as a new identity and place to live. The program applies to witnesses and close family members who may also be under threat. Some Americans are surprised to learn that many of the people in the program are former criminals who have made a deal with the government to avoid prosecution.
To be eligible for witness protection, the witness must provide important evidence relating to a serious crime. Witnesses in cases of organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism can be offered protection if they qualify. If the witness’s life is deemed to be at risk because of her testimony, protection will be offered and often family members are included. The threat of death or intimidation must be substantial, as witness protection is very costly.
The Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 included a provision to establish the Witness Protection Program. Under the law, the United States Attorney General has the final say on who gets into the program. Typically, a state attorney general recommends a witness for inclusion in the program, although witnesses may also apply for protection. The protection offered by the program is for life, as long as the witness no longer commits an offence, and the recidivism rate is around 17%. Some individual states also offer their own witness protection programs.
In addition to providing physical security, the program also relocates witnesses after the trial and provides them with new identities. A small salary is offered until the witness finds a new job, and other assistance may be provided as needed. When the witness is transferred, local law enforcement is notified if he was a criminal, so they can keep tabs on the witness as well.
The program also includes restrictions. The witness is not allowed to return to his former hometown and should not contact former friends and acquaintances. Nearly all witnesses who complied with the terms of the program were successfully protected, although witnesses who broke the terms were killed.
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