By: Nadia Castro

As fires grow stronger destroying anything in their path, at the front lines are not only firefighters, but inmate firefighters. These hand crews were providing help to stop raging fires in California. As of Sept. 11, Gov. Newsom signed a bill to reform California’s inmate firefighter program. This law provides inmates a chance to have their records expunged and parole waived for their time done as a firefighter.

Gov. Newsom stated on Twitter, “Inmates who have stood on the frontlines, battling historic fires should not be denied the right to later become a professional firefighter.”

The Conservation Fire Camps have roughly 3,100 inmates working, and only 2,200 are fire line-qualified inmates. The CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) works with the California Department of Forestry and Los Angeles County Fire Department. California operates around 43 conservation camps located in 27 counties. According to CDCR, 1,219 inmate firefighters were deployed to help with these fires throughout the state and put in 100 inmate crews.

Rehabilitation carries hope and determination for those who want to choose a different path for their life. An inmate is not forced, they volunteer and have to be cleared to do so. They must have minimum custody status, or the lowest classification based on good behavior in prison. Meaning, conforming to the rules and participation in rehabilitative programming. There are conviction offenses that make an inmate ineligible to volunteer such as: sexual offenses, arson and any history of escape with force and violence.

For many years, minimum security inmates have battled fires in California and are now receiving recognition. Inmates receive the same entry-level training as the Cal Fires’ seasonal firefighters receive as well as the training from CAL FIRE within the program. Adult male inmates are sent to different facilities as female inmates and as juvenile inmates. According to Christine McMorrow, spokeswoman of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, an inmate firefighter receives an average compensation of $3.63 per day and $1.00 per day when they are deployed to an active fire.

Fighting fires is only half of the job the inmates do while on duty. They cut trees and brush to reduce fire hazards, clear floor channels and storm drains, maintain hiking trails clear. Forest restoration work is what they are assigned as their duty when fires are not a threat.

Even though inmates possess the training and knowledge of a firefighter, it is often hard when they are released to get a job in the field. Fire departments require candidates have an EMT license which can be exceedingly difficult to acquire for a former inmate. Out of the cell, their heroic deeds ceased to exist because employment for felons is tough. Since the bill was signed they can apply to be firefighters and acquire the hourly wage of about $21.00 and the benefits that come with the employment.

Gov. Newsom has given inmates a chance to restore their life once they face the realities of this world outside of a prison. The recognition of being a firefighter on the frontlines as an inmate has reached the surface, as they are not talked about in the face of media. Firefighters tend to reap the benefits of heroism which is now given to inmate firefighters who volunteer their life to battle the blazing fires.

Beyond the Cell