Editing Pentito (section)

== Role and benefits ==
In exchange for the information they deliver, ''pentiti'' receive shorter sentences for their crimes, in some cases even freedom. In the Italian judicial system, ''pentiti'' can obtain personal protection, a new name, and some money to start a new life in another place, possibly abroad.

This practice is common in other countries as well. In the United States, criminals [[Turn state's evidence|testifying against their former associates]] can enter the [[United States Federal Witness Protection Program|Witness Protection Program]], and be given new identities with supporting paperwork.<ref>[http://www.usmarshals.gov/witsec/ U.S. Marshals site], a [[WP:PD|PD]] source</ref> The Italian Mafia bosses Buscetta and [[Francesco Marino Mannoia]] were allowed to live in the U.S. under new identities in the Witness Protection Program when Italy did not yet have such a program.<ref name=nyt201193>[https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/20/world/mob-boss-and-stoolie-share-a-day-in-rome-court.html Mob Boss and Stoolie Share a Day in Rome Court], ''The New York Times'', November 20, 1993</ref><ref name=Stille1>Stille, ''Excellent Cadavers'', p. 302-10</ref>