The Ministry of National Security is boasting that, over the 10 years since it took over control of the Justice Protection Unit, no witness under government protection has been killed or harmed.

The programme had previously been under the supervision of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Since the programme was implemented 10 years ago, nearly 1,500 persons have benefited from the services of the JPU, including both primary witnesses and their dependants. One hundred and eighty two of those who accessed the programme have since been successfully weaned and have gone on to live normal lives.

"In the fight against crime and violence, witness testimony plays a key role in capturing, convicting and locking away criminals," the ministry said in a release last week. "Often in an attempt to escape the punishment for their crimes, criminals threaten and intimidate witnesses to discourage them from appearing in court. The Witness Protection Programme was implemented to deal with the very real danger witnesses face".

Fear of retaliation

According to the ministry, the programme has preserved the lives of Jamaicans and their families and has made it possible for them to testify in court without fear of retaliation from criminals.

The programme is intended to protect every Jamaican who gives evidence, as well as their families. Safe accommodation, including relocation to other parts of Jamaica or other countries if necessary, medical care, financial allowance, education for children, and counselling are provided to participants.

Any witness to a crime who wants to testify in court and fear for his or her life can participate in the programme.

A witness is evaluated to make sure that protection is needed and that the witness is able to follow the rules of the programme.

After determining that there is a real threat to the safety of the witness (and family members), and that the witness is able to participate in the programme, he or she is required to sign a document agreeing to observe the regulations of the programme. These regulations are developed to ensure effective protection and confidentiality about the location of the witness.

Once in the programme, the witness is relocated and given a new and safe identity within Jamaica or overseas if necessary. The programme satisfies all basic needs and tries to make witnessesas comfortable as possible.

A witness is required to remain in the programme until after the case is tried and it is deemed safe for that person to leave the programme. Several persons who have previously participated in the programme are now living normal lives in Jamaica or overseas.