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Speak Up! - View Question #339 |
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Question: What happens to a person in the witness protection program?
Answer: The Witness Security Program was created by the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970. Since then, more than 7,000 witnesses and over 9,000 family members have entered the program and have been protected, relocated and given new identities.
The United States Marshals Service, a division of the US Department of Justice, provides for the security, health and safety of government witnesses and their immediate family whose lives are in danger because they are testifying in court against drug traffickers, terrorists, organized crime members and other major criminals.
To begin with, the United States Attorney General makes the final determination who qualifies for protection. After the witness agrees to enter the program, they and their family are immediately relocated to a different and more secure location selected by the Marshals Service, this is usually a different city in a different state. Witnesses and their families typically get new names and identities, with authentic documentation like Social Security cards and driver's licenses. Housing, medical care, job training and employment can also be provided. Money for living expenses is also provided to the witnesses until they become self-sufficient in the relocation area.
This information was taken from 'Witness Protection Program Factsheet' from the US Department of Justice US Marshals. More information is also available on the Witness Security Program from the US Marshals
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| Comments |
| 1 thru 5 of 20 comments |
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On 12/16/08
maire from MI said:
i thought it was a good article. i could understand it and didnt need an adult to translate it so that i could understand what the paper was saying.
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On 04/16/06
Tim from NJ said:
I have no love for the witness program they do not show any care for the family's left behind they take the person into witsec in some cases they fake the death of that person.not even the person's mother father wife or children know that he is still alive they are to believe the person is dead.this way they never have to answer to anyone on the end result of the witness. If the witness is Killed or locked away in some prison being abused there is no one looking for that person for everyone think's they are dead. this is a good way to keep a witness safe from the bad guy's or is it?
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On 05/04/04
Pat from MO said:
I have a son who disapeared 9 years ago from New Orleans.No word has been received.An attorney said the events are highly suspicious
Trying to find out anything from the police is useless.I am so frustrated.Our family is so pained.Nothing anyone tells us fits.A human being could'nt just leave with no trace could they?A strange person entered his life just before he vanished, recently I heard she goes by an alias,lots of suspicion!He resided there ll yrs, had recently opened a business,was a very caring person of integrity,had so much going for him-I don't believe he left on his own.Any ideaS
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On 04/20/04
Jackee from MT said:
I was placed in the Witness Protection Program 23 years ago when I was a child. We have nothing except our drivers license, ss cards, and expired passports. I ran into problems trying to get a marriage license. My question to you is do you feel like you are still in danger? I know that you can try to reclaim your old identity, which is what me and my family are in the process of doing. They can't destroy our original birth certificates. You are not alone. I encourage those of us that are being tossed aside to do something,(like go public). Good luck.
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On 04/14/04
Annonymous from Othe said:
I'm so sorry this is so unbelievably sad! I wish i could do something to help! I'm so so so so so sorry and hope you find a solution!
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