34 U.S.C. § 20989 — Fugitive Safe Surrender

(a) Findings: Congress found that Fugitive Safe Surrender is a U.S. Marshals Service program, run with public, private, and faith-based partners, that temporarily turns a church into a courthouse so fugitives can turn themselves in somewhere they feel more comfortable, and have their nonviolent cases handled right away. In a 4-day pilot program in Cleveland, Ohio, more than 800 fugitives surrendered — compared to just 65 arrests during a 3-day law enforcement sweep that followed it. Congress found this approach safer for defendants, law enforcement, and bystanders than a sweep, and concluded that, given the pilot's success, the program should expand to more cities. (b) Establishment: The U.S. Marshals Service must establish, direct, and run the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, under which it apprehends federal, State, and local fugitives in a safe, secure, and peaceful way, coordinating with local law enforcement and community leaders in the cities where the program runs. (c) Authorization of appropriations: Congress authorized the U.S. Marshals Service $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 to run this program. (d) Other existing applicable law: Nothing in this section limits any other authority law enforcement agencies already have, under federal or State law, to find and arrest fugitives through task forces or other means.