Time after time, stories about criminal sentencing tell us that the people who are convicted must pay restitution as part of their sentence.

In many cases, we’re talking about people who either weren’t making an honest living to begin with, or were making so little they couldn’t make ends meet.

Where are they expected to get the (frequently) thousands of dollars they’re supposed to repay?

I agree completely that victims should be compensated for their losses, but it seems to be a fantasy to expect it to actually happen.

Honest people have enough trouble finding steady work; I question how many of these convicted criminals are going find jobs to support themselves and repay their court-ordered restitution.

Or is there some wonderful source of restitution money I’m not aware of?

Bob Edgarton

Chelsea