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What is it? -

The Witness Protection Program, also known as the Witness Security Program or WITSEC, is run by the U.S. Marshals Service.

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When did it start? -

WITSEC has been in operation since 1971. The program was introduced as a result of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970.

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Who founded the program? -

WITSEC was founded by Gerald Shur, who served as head of the program for about 25 years. Shur was instrumental in shaping the program into what it is today.

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Goal -

The program was designed to protect the health and safety of witnesses (and their immediate dependents) before, during, and after a trial.

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Why are these witnesses’ lives in danger? -

These witnesses’ lives are in danger as a result of testimony against major criminals, including drug traffickers, terrorists, and organized crime members.

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How does it work? -

Witnesses and their families usually get new identities, including new documents. Housing and living expenses are covered by the program, and so is employment assistance.

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How many people have been through the program? -

Around 19,000 people have been protected by the program. This includes witnesses and their families.

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What happens when a witness is admitted into the program? -

The first thing witnesses experience is orientation. Witnesses are taken to the WITSEC Safesite and Orientation Center in the Washington, D.C. area, where they go through medical and psychological exams. Job skills are also assessed, so that their new location and job are aligned.

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New identity -

Those in the program get a new identity, but changing their first name is optional. Witnesses also get to choose their last name, as long as it can’t be traced back to their real families.

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They are allowed to keep in touch with their families -

Participants in the program can use a secure mail program to keep in touch with family members they are unable to visit. After reading the letters, however, the marshals take them. There is also a secure telephone line they can use.

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Famous criminals -

Now, let's take a look at some of the (in)famous criminals who have entered the Witness Protection Program over the years.

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Henry Hill -

Henry Hill was one of the most popular mobsters to have entered the program. His life story was popularized in Nicholas Pileggi's 1985 book 'Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family.'

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Henry Hill -

The book was then the basis for Martin Scorsese's 1990 film 'Goodfellas.' Ray Liotta played the New York City mobster, who was associated with the Lucchese crime family.

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Frank Salemme -

The former hitman, and head of the Patriarca crime family of New England, was convicted in 1995 and sentenced to 11 years in prison. But then his testimony against FBI agent John Connolly got Salemme admitted into the program.

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Andrew Thomas DelGiorno -

The captain of the Scarfo crime family became an FBI informant. "Tommy Del" entered the program after being put on top of the Philadelphia crime family (pictured) hit list.

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Anthony Casso -

However, his testimony against FBI agent John Connolly got Salemme admitted into the program.

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Anthony Casso -

The former underboss of the Lucchese crime family was arrested in 1993, but managed to get admitted into the program. Though following numerous infractions, Casso was eventually dropped from the program and sentenced to life in prison, until his death in 2020.

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Ray Ferritto -

The soldier and hitman served both the Cleveland and Los Angeles crime families. He is best known for murdering the Irish mob boss Danny Greene in 1977. Ferritto became a government informant and was admitted into the program.

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Ken Eto -

Ken "Tokyo Joe" Eto was the highest-ranking Asian American in the Chicago Outfit, for whom he ran the Asian gambling operation. Eto eventually turned informant for the FBI and entered the program.

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Joseph Barboza -

An extensive track record of crimes, including 75 stabbings, 500 beatings, and about 20 murders, earned Barboza the nickname of "the Animal."

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Joseph Barboza -

Not only was Barboza a fierce mobster, but he also had a boxing career. Joseph Barboza became an FBI informant after being arrested for murder and entering the program.

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Peter Chiodo -

Peter "Fat Pete" Chiodo was shot 12 times in 1991, but managed to survive. This member of the Lucchese crime family entered the program when his wife's life was in danger.

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Tommaso Buscetta -

Tommaso Buscetta was the first member of the Sicilian Mafia to turn into an informant. His criminal activity extended between Italy, the United States, and Brazil.

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Tommaso Buscetta -

Buscetta was a key witness in the largest anti-Mafia trial in history; the Maxi Trial in 1986-87. He also testified to the Antimafia Commission, linking Italian politicians to the Mafia.

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Sammy Gravano -

Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano was an underboss for the Gambino crime family. He famously helped take down the family's boss, John Gotti, in 1991.

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Alphonse D'Arco -

Alphonse "Little Al" D'Arco, also known as "The Professor," was the first crime boss (Lucchese crime family) in New York to become an FBI informant.

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Jimmy Fratianno -

Aladena "Jimmy the Weasel" Fratianno was acting boss of the Los Angeles crime family in the 1970s. He entered the program and years later collaborated on a couple of books.

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Francesco Marino Mannoia -

This member of the Sicilian Mafia was actually extradited to the US just so that he could join the Witness Protection Program, as there was no such thing in Italy.

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John Franzese Jr. -

John Franzese Jr. testified against his father, former underboss of the Colombo crime family, John "Sonny" Franzese. He became the first son of a New York mobster to do so.

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Salvatore Vitale -

Salvatore "Handsome Sal" Vitale was an underboss of the Bonanno crime family. He is known to have testified against 51 people, and entered the program as a result. 

Sources: (U.S. Marshals Service) (Mental Floss) (Ranker)

See also: What your business can learn from the Mafia

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