NCJ Number
46037
Date Published
1978
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM (WPP) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS DESCRIBED, AND ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE STARTING OPERATION IN MARCH OF 1971 ARE EVALUATED.
Abstract
AT THE TIME OF THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION, THE MARSHALS SERVICE WAS GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING FOR THE SECURITY OF WITNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHOSE LIVES WERE ENDANGERED BY THEIR COOPERATION IN FEDERAL CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS. INITIALLY, EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SAFEHOUSES (I.E., SECURE AND SHELTERED LIVING QUARTERS); HOWEVER, DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF MAINTENANCE AND THEIR DUBIOUS SECURITY VALUE, THEY WERE EVENTUALLY ABANDONDED. THE PROTECTION PROCESS STARTS FOLLOWING APPROVAL OF THE WITNESS' ENTRY INTO THE PROGRAM BY THE CRIMINAL DIVISION OR AN ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL. A CASE MANAGEMENT OFFICER IS CHARGED WITH THE OVERALL COORDINATION OF PROTECTION SERVICES FOR THE WITNESS AND MAKES APPROPRIATE SECURITY AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS. THE WITNESS AND FAMILY ARE THEN ASSIGNED TO A SECURITY SPECIALIST WHO MAKES AN INITIAL DETERMINATION OF HOUSING, MEDICAL, AND RELOCATION NEEDS OF THE WITNESS, AND WHO ASCERTAINS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA OF PERMANENT RELOCATION, AT THE SITE OF RELOCATION. A DEPUTY MARSHAL IS ASSIGNED TO THE WITNESS AS A PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING LOCAL SERVICES FOR THE WITNESS. THE WITNESS IS PROVIDED WITH SUITABLE DOCUMENTATION WHICH TYPICALLY INVOLVES A LEGAL NAME CHANGE, DRIVER'S LICENSE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, AND PROFESSIONAL RECORDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTS. ILLEGAL ALIENS, WHILE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PROGRAM, ARE PROVIDED WITH NO DOCUMENTATION. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INCLUDE A JOB BANK AND CONTINUING CONTACT WITH AGENCIES, UNIONS, OR EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE AGREED TO PLACE WITNESSES IN POSITIONS FOR WHICH THEY ARE QUALIFIED. A MONTHLY TAX-FREE SUBSISTANCE ALLOWANCE IS PROVIDED FOR 120 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OR 60 DAYS AFTER THE LAST COURT APPEARANCE, WHICHEVER IS LONGER. PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR HANDLING WITNESS VIOLATIONS OF WPP PROCEDURES, PRERELOCATION FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS, CIVIL LITIGATION, AND CRIMINAL OFFENSES. OF WITNESSES PROTECTED THROUGH THE PROGRAM, NONE HAS DIED AS A RESULT OF DEMONSTRABLE SECURITY FAILURE. OF ALL WITNESS DEATHS, ONLY FOUR WERE OF A SUSPICIOUS NATURE. IN GENERAL, A WITNESS WHO FOLLOWS INSTRUCTIONS HAS LITTLE TO FEAR. A SURVEY OF PRESENT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS INDICATED THAT ONLY 13 PERCENT FELT MEASURES TAKEN HAD NOT BEEN ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. ALTHOUGH MOVEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PROVISION OF ADEQUATE AND GENUINE DOCUMENTATION WERE INITIALLY PROBLEM AREAS, MOST DIFFICULTIES HAVE SINCE BEEN REMEDIED. FINDING EMPLOYMENT FOR WITNESSES, OFTEN WITH UNFAVORABLE BACKGROUNDS, A LACK OF SUFFICIENT RESOURCES, AND INADEQUATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATION, CONTINUES TO POSE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICES OVERALL HAS SHOWN INCREASING IMPROVEMENT WHICH CAN BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE. (JAP)