Informational Articals - Witness Protection Program -
The Witness Protection Program was introduced in the 1970’s to offer protection for those individuals who are asked to testify against dangerous criminals in Federal court. In the past many people were afraid to do so because they feared for their life.
Under the Witness Protection Program a person offering valuable information is protected by the Federal Government. They and their immediate family are relocated and given new identities. They are also routinely monitored by security agents. The decision to place a person or a family into a Witness Protection Program is not one the Federal government enters into lightly.
Being in the Witness Protection Program isn’t easy though. It generally means cutting off all contact with your family and friends. It also means having to remember new information including a name, date of birth, education, background, and other information. If you have children who need to be in the program with you it is even more difficult.
A financial stipend is offered by the Federal government for individuals in the Witness Protection Program but only while they are getting established in their new location. This funding will be discontinued if it doesn’t appear that the individual is cooperating with the requirements of the program. This means the individual needs to make every effort to secure employment as quickly as possible so they can cover their own expenses.
Many states have followed the lead of the Federal government and offer the same type of protection to those who testify in state cases. This has significantly helped to increase the number of convictions for criminals responsible for violent crimes and for drug trafficking. Anyone in a Witness Protection Program has to be very careful though as they can be tracked down by the criminals or by those working on their behalf.
Many individuals who have been part of a Witness Protection Program state they felt safe for the most part throughout the process. The level of security they are offered depends on the type of case they are involved in as well as the status of the criminal. If that individual is on the loose then the risk of the witness being hunted down is higher.
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