Gareth Manning, Gleaner WriterSINCE RESTRUCTURING in 1997, the Witness Protection Programme operated by the Government has sheltered hundreds of witnesses to heinous crimes from high-profile criminals who would have otherwise murdered them.
This has resulted in a number of those criminals being brought to justice over the last nine years.
Twenty-nine people have been given sentences ranging from life to death penalties this year, and there are currently some 33 cases before the courts because of testimonies given by witnesses. Two of these are awaiting retrials.
"Most of the testimonies have led to a conviction," an anonymous member of the programme told The Gleaner recently. Approximately 89 per cent of all testimonies have led to convictions of major criminals.
NEVER LOST A WITNESS
Contrary to popular belief, the programme boasts 100 per cent protection for those who come under the programme
"We have never lost a witness. Not even close," the source said, though there have been cases where people have abandoned the programme or have not taken protection when it was offered. At least 20 people have abandoned the programme.
It is highly secretive in order to protect its clients and its staff. In fact, it is so secretive that not even when The Sunday Gleaner met with two of its team members were we told their names.
"Remember, we've never met," they said, "If you should see us after this, you don't know us."
ACCOMODATED ELSEWHERE
Once persons become a part of the programme they are taken from their homes and accommodated elsewhere, whether locally or abroad, where they are protected from criminals who might threaten their lives if they give information that leads to their arrest or conviction.
"When somebody is under the programme they won't enjoy any less of a lifestyle than what they had before," public relations manager at the Ministry of National Security, Neville Graham, explained.
ADEQUATE RESOURCES
Ministry officials declined to say how much was spent on the programme or how equipped the programme was, but the figure could range from hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars.
"Adequate resources are in place for catering of the needs of the clients, for total welfare," The Sunday Gleaner was informed, but that is as much as our sources would say.
Currently, there are some 338 people under the programme, 115 being primary witnesses and four are minors. They are from all walks of society though a large percentage of the clients are from inner-city communities, where they have witnessed heinous gang violence.
ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE
Most of them are referred to the programme through the Office of the Director of Prosecutions or the police. Fifteen highly-trained professionals protect them.
"When there is a situation, there are a number of triggers. There is input from the justice system social workers, police ... they trigger certain actions that these people have to be insulated," Mr. Graham notes.
A majority of the clients are informants and the programme wants to encourage more people to come forward with information.
"We want people to know about the programme and feel assured that if they have information to add to the criminal justice system then they are adequately offered protection."
