By C1 Staff
SYRACRUSE, NY — Probation officers in Syracuse are doing the best they can with what they have, but still face numerous obstacles when it comes to a victim’s restitution.
Syracruse.com reports that between drug and alcohol rehabilitation, debt, getting a job and child support, there’s often little left over to repay the victim of a crime.
Between 65 and 70 percent of probationers have addictions, and they can only pay restitution once they have a steady job. Debt is also a looming obstacle, as those who are unable to repay their dues may return to a life of crime because they feel there is no other option.
Officers are also handling 80 to 100 probationers, with over 3,000 people on probation.
In the past, probation officers have been found to have lost track of restitution, or have not filed a violation when someone wasn’t paying on time but otherwise followed their probation stipulations. This was often due to understaffing at the probation agency, according to Syracruse.com.
Funding for increased enforcement of victim restitution was cut after three years by the state legislature, before any real results could be determined since most probationary terms are for five years.