The Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC) — commonly known as the Witness Protection Program — is intended for crucial witnesses whose prospective testimony puts them in immediate danger of harm. Since the program began in 1970, more than 7,500 witnesses and more than 9,500 witness family members have entered the program and been protected, relocated, and given new identities by the U.S. Marshals Service. So, how does the program work? WITSEC is designed to create total anonymity for witnesses and help them blend in after being relocated to a new city where they most likely won’t be recognized. The U.S. Marshals Service can obtain a reasonable job opportunity for the witness, provide assistance in finding housing, and provide subsistence payments of $60,000 per year on average. However, if a witness fails to aggressively seek employment, subsistence payments will be terminated. At that point, the relocated witness can enroll in public assistance if he or she chooses. Witnesses and their family members have their names changed for security purposes. As for choosing a new name, witnesses can have their pick. However, they are advised to keep their current initials or same first name. Name changes are done by the court system, but the records are sealed. Finally, the government will arrange for counseling by psychologists when the need has been substantiated. There’s no forgiveness of loans or other obligations. Before entering the program, witnesses must pay off all existing debts. Once assimilated into their community, contact with government officials is only required once a year. Witnesses also need to make contact with the government if they move. Any other contact with witnesses must be requested through the U.S. Marshals Service. The most important rule of the program is that witnesses must not make contact with former associates or unprotected family members. They also must not return to the town from which they were relocated. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, no witness who has followed these two safety rules has ever been killed.
