Random Odd Rules People In The Witness Protection Program Have To Follow (13 items)

(#3) Participants Have To Leave Pets And Personal Belongings

As the main aim of witness protection is to provide anonymity, marshals have strict rules about what families can take with them while relocating. Anything that could potentially identify them in any way is banned, including toys, letters, diaries, jewelry, and even family photographs.

In one instance, a child couldn't even take a drawing made by a classmate as a goodbye present because it bore his name. Government officials will also stop family pets from moving with their owners.
(#11) Witnesses Have To Lie To Everyone

The witness protection program is all about creating a new identity, and that means participants have to continually lie. They aren't permitted to tell anyone about their past, or they'll risk being relocated to a new area.

This includes any new friend a witness makes, and even potential partners.
(#4) Prisoners Need To Pass A Polygraph Test

Many people who go into witness protection have already been incarcerated for other crimes. They often have the most knowledge of organized crime syndicates and can provide the best evidence. In order for any prisoner to be accepted into the witness protection program, though, they have to pass a polygraph test.

This is to ensure that the witness will not try to find out information about other witnesses while involved in the program.
(#1) Witnesses Have To Participate In Mandatory Training In A Bomb Shelter

After US Marshals pick up witnesses at their homes - and oftentimes their families as well - they are taken to a secret safe house somewhere in Washington DC. However, this isn't just some random undisclosed building, it also has to be able to securely hold up to six families and must be able to withstand potential bomb threats to ensure the safety of newly admitted witnesses.
(#8) Witnesses Don't Get Entirely New Names

Most of the time, marshals will suggest that witnesses under protection don’t change their full names. Instead, they're usually be allowed to keep their first name and often even their initials.
Although this might seem counter-productive, it's done for a very good reason. Keeping some part of their old names helps people get used to their new identities, and also ensures they don't don’t slip up and react to their old name if it's said out loud.
(#5) Witnesses Can Undergo Random Alcohol And Drug Tests

Occasionally, witnesses in the program have to submit to random alcohol or drug tests. While this is not a standard procedure, it is more common with individuals who have abused those substances in the past, or prisoners who have been released from their incarceration.

The main concern is that anyone who has a weakness for drinks or drugs could endanger themselves or others unintentionally.