California Fires : Beneficial to Reducing Prison Overcrowding

Reducing overcrowding in California prisons is not easy at all. Generally, inmates must either be released or given more space (which is the expensive option for the state). But, there is a third option that has been used lately. Inmates can be set to fire camps in firefighter positions to not only benefit themselves in terms of experience and time outside the cell, but it benefits the prison as a whole as it becomes less overcrowded and their sentencing gets reduced meaning they will be out of their sooner than later. Sending these inmates to fight fires is apart of Governor Jerry Brown's plan to reduce prison overcrowding in response to a federal court order. A bunch of men are all serving their sentences in the most recent state fire camps. The camps allow low-level offenders aka applicants with minimum custody to complete their time outside of prison walls and earn good behavior credits more quickly. Automatic disqualifies include inmates who have committed arson, murder of sex offenses, inmates with active warrants, a history of escape attempts, medical issues, and high-profile cases. These men are trained to work as hand and support crews to back up professional firefighters during wildfires, once completed they must pass a series of qualifying tests. The state runs 42 adult camps, 3 of which are for women, mostly in cooperation with Cal Fire. In total these camps hold more than about 4,000 inmates. Not only does this program benefit the inmates but, also saves tax dollars, about $80 million a year. This is because these inmates get paid $2 daily, plus $2 hourly when on the line actually fighting fires, still only a small fraction of what professional firefighters make. $2 is an outstanding amount of money compared to the 8 to 37 cents per hour they make in state prisons. For each day they work in the program, they receive a two day reduction in their sentences. These inmates are treated no differently than Cal Fire fighters. They receive the same exact training, preform same duties, work on fire lines, clear food channels, and cur brush to reduce fire danger. Through these firefighting programs, the state continues to rehabilitate prisoners while providing a critical and cost effective defensive line against natural disaster.

Prisoners at Oak Glen Conservation Camp line up for work