Inmates Help Fight California Fires

Around 1,000 incarcerated men and women have joined firefighters on the frontlines in California through a century-old prisoner firefighter program. 

The Details: To be eligible for the program, inmates must have a minimum security status, and have adhered to all rules while locked up. They must not be facing charges of arson or sexual assault, or have a history of escape. Once selected, they go to one of 35 “conservation camps” in California for training.

For Context: Crew members currently earn $5.80 to $10.24 per day, with an extra $1 per hour for those assigned to an active emergency. Kim Kardashian has been among those leading the charge for higher wages, arguing that those risking their lives to fight the fires should be entitled to more than $30 a day. 

How The Media Covered It: Outlets on the left and right reflected on the program's positive outcomes, providing dignity to prisoners, while mentioning the fight for higher wages. While many outlets covered the issue neutrally or reflected the positive aspects of the program, NBC News (Lean Left bias) was the most negative, leading with the “harsh criticisms” of the program. NBC News cited an X user that said, “up to 1/3 of fire fighting crews are incarcerated individuals who don't even have access to fire fighting jobs after release.” In contrast, The Center Square (Lean Right) said the firefighters were “earning pathways to firefighting jobs,” noting that Gov. Newsom (D-CA) signed a law in 2020 “allowing former non-violent incarcerated individuals who participated in the program to have their records expunged.”