NCJ Number
59463
Date Published
1978
Length
381 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES BEFORE THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE REGARDING THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM IS PRESENTED; HEARINGS ARE THE CULMINATION OF A 9 MONTH INVESTIGATION.
Abstract
THE INQUIRY CULMINATING IN HEARINGS WAS PROMPTED BY COMPLAINTS FROM WITNESSES, THE PRESS, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, AND MARSHALS SERVICE OFFICIALS ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE WITNESS-PROTECTION PROGRAM. THE MAJOR COMPLAINT FOCUSED ON THE FACT THAT THE PROGRAM HAS GROWN FAR BEYOND WHAT WAS ENVISIONED IN 1970 WITHOUT FURTHER CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF THE POLICY ISSUES WHICH DEVELOPED. WITNESSES PROVIDING TESTIMONY INCLUDE A REPORTER FOR NEWSDAY, ATTORNEYS, AN INSPECTOR FROM THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE, THE ACTING DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF PRISONS, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PRISON REFORM TASK FORCE OF NEW YORK. IT WAS STATED THAT AS OF MARCH 1, 1978, 2,436 WITNESSES AND APPROXIMATELY 3,500 OF THEIR DEPENDENTS HAVE ENTERED THE PROGRAM. TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED COOPERATING WITNESSES VARY FROM TEMPORARY PROTECTION, TO RELOCATION, TO ESTABLISHING A NEW IDENTITY, TO LIMITED EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE COST WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $14 MILLION FOR 1977 ALONE. THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM TESTIFIED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH WITNESSES ARE HANDLED AND THE PROGRAM'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT, DESPITE CRITICISM, THE NEED FOR WITNESS-SECURITY PROGRAMS REMAINS UNQUESTIONED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROGRAM BE CONTINUED, THAT LIMITS BE PLACED ON LENGTH OF TIME A PROTECTED WITNESS MAY RECEIVE SUBSISTENCE PAYMENTS, AND THAT A FORMAL COMPLAINT SYSTEM BE ESTABLISHED FOR USE BY PROTECTED WITNESSES REGARDING THEIR TREATMENT UNDER THE PROGRAM. NUMEROUS EXHIBITS, (I.E., CORRESPONDENCE, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES), ARE INCLUDED IN APPENDIXES. (LWM)