Can people in Witness Protection contact family?

Suppose a single adult has to be placed in the U.S witness protection program.Is there a way in which the persons immediate family(Mother,Father,siblings)could write or call them?Would they be allowed to visit the person?

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DocSavage · M

They could do it through the FBI probably. Anyone in protection, goes in to keep family safe, so there is no contact. The only way, would have be from agents without actual direct contact.

NativePortlander1970

@DocSavage The U.S. Marshall's office runs the program.

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@DocSavage But couldn't they arrange for them to receive mail and /or talk on the phone through a secure channel?

DocSavage · M

@DavidT8899
. The person under protection receives no news that might make them change their minds. The family receive no communication that might reveal the witness’s location.
The whole idea is that only the Marshals knows, and as few agents as possible. Depending on the case, the witness will probably never see them again.

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@DocSavage Well,the FBI could review the letter for that;also,both parties could be instructed not to do so.

DocSavage · M

@DavidT8899
My original answer. And communication would have to be done through the agents. There most likely would be no unsupervised direct contact.

NativePortlander1970

@DocSavage There would be no direct contact, period.

DocSavage · M

@NativePortlander1970
As I said. The witness may be able to write a letter, but all it would do is tell the family he’s in witness protection. Any other details could be used to compromise the location. They would be edited out.

NativePortlander1970

@DocSavage Exactly my initial point.

DocSavage · M

@NativePortlander1970
And my original answer.