Nearly 400 incarcerated firefighters are helping battle the destructive blazes that are rapidly spreading across Southern California as a powerful windstorm devastates the region. The wages they are paid to compensate them are meager. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... - ThreadSky

zen4ever2us.bsky.social • 50 days ago

Nearly 400 incarcerated firefighters are helping battle the destructive blazes that are rapidly spreading across Southern California as a powerful windstorm devastates the region.

The wages they are paid to compensate them are meager.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/08/la-wildfires-incarcerated-firefighters?CMP=share_btn_url

Comments

djvagirl.bsky.social•50 days ago

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

mikerossi.bsky.social•50 days ago

To paraphrase former Governor Jerry Brown, they are paid in the esteem of their fellow citizens.

rvaeagle.bsky.social•50 days ago

Democracy Now talked with some of these incarcerated firefighters during another fire a few years ago https://www.democracynow.org/2020/8/25/california_wildfires_incarcerated_firefighters

hotwingguru.bsky.social•50 days ago

After they have served their sentences, CA will refuse to hire them because of their criminal conviction even though they have mad firefighting skills honed in the crucible of many CA wildfires.

istvan101.bsky.social•50 days ago

Criminal

gabeburgess.bsky.social•50 days ago

Slavery never ended in America, it just became a state run institution.

sandeedees.bsky.social•46 days ago

Yep. It is a feature, not a bug.

kukelley.bsky.social•43 days ago

Especially with for profit prison institutions

toolgirlz.bsky.social•50 days ago

Legalized slavery.

stevethdemocrat.bsky.social•50 days ago

Maybe the balance of the hourly rate could go to costs and fines.

stevethdemocrat.bsky.social•50 days ago

🤔 wonder why 400 firefighters are incarcerated? Seems like a lot.

lollioness.bsky.social•50 days ago

The incarcerated part came first. Criminals are used to do field work to fight fires (the heavy shoveling etc.)

stevethdemocrat.bsky.social•50 days ago

Gotcha. Gonna say that's a lot of anything in one place!

jakelt1.bsky.social•49 days ago

Those prisoners are the best! When I was a wildfire fighter, we worked with them. They work hard. And make amazing food. We loved it when prisoners cooked for us

ceeceepaints.bsky.social•49 days ago

I feel bad when good trained firefighters can't get hired after time served because they learned these skills in prison. Someday the phrase They paid their debut to society will be a fact not fiction.

jakelt1.bsky.social•49 days ago

It’s really unfortunate. They LOVE doing the work. They felt so rewarded by helping others. It’s not about controlling the fire. It’s about lives saved. Property saved. Maybe I should open a private firefighting company. If the military can hire contractors, why can’t I?

ceeceepaints.bsky.social•49 days ago

That is a fantastic idea.

jakelt1.bsky.social•49 days ago

And, it’ll only help the super rich

jakelt1.bsky.social•49 days ago

The cost would be exorbitant

ceeceepaints.bsky.social•49 days ago

The insurance would be a huge factor. It is even for the volunteer firefighters we support here.

jdluke.com•50 days ago

"Incarcerated firefighters"? I think the appropriate term is "slave labor" "forced" to "endure unbearable danger".

mgeotsa.bsky.social•50 days ago

I'd never heard of this program before the television series. We owe ALL firefighters our gratitude. And those braving the firestorm despite being incarcerated leniency & a second chance.

alwqb8095.bsky.social•50 days ago

It's a volunteer program for training so they can get jobs when they get out. Bloody hell, must everything be a scandal of sorts?

crowmessenger.bsky.social•50 days ago

The prison industry serving up the serfs

oogieboogeyman.bsky.social•50 days ago

One thing to keep in mind is that participation is 'voluntary'. And they are receiving training. I'd like to see the stats though, as to how many of them are actually able to secure a job in this field upon their release.

stunever.bsky.social•50 days ago

At least give these people relevant jobs when they get out.

kymberlybvegas.bsky.social•50 days ago

It's not forced, they volunteer and they get skills to get hired in the real world, plus commissary money. The recidivism rate is much lower with this type of inmate.And, I've seen docs about these guys. They like it. They feel like they're contributing. And they are.

7islucky.bsky.social•50 days ago

#EndSlavery

or7f.bsky.social•50 days ago

Did a photo essay on an Arizona unit of prison firefighters years ago. They are proud, knowledgeable, and dedicated. For many it helped them to reform and contribute. They earned the trust of their communities and have gone on to serve their communities. All for them.

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