California has turned to incarcerated firefighters since 1915. To those opposed to the use of inmates as firefighters, the system is seen as exploitative.
Inmate firefighters walk along Highway 120 during the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, Calif. in 2013. California currently has about 400 inmate firefighters battling the LA county wildfires."As of today, 783 Fire Camp firefighters have been working around the clock cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow fire spread, including 88 support staff," California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement to NPR on Thursday.
The program was first established in 1915, but expanded during World War II after forestry staff left to fight in the war. In the interim, incarcerated people were tapped as replacements and 41 camps were established. There are now 35 such camps in California, all of which are minimum-security facilities.
Prison labor programs, generally, have historical ties to the end of the Civil War and the passage of the 13th Amendmentwhich abolished slavery"except as a punishment for crime" — an exception that prison rights advocates like Tylek say allows for exploitative labor.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Project Century: A New Yakuza-like Adventure in 1915 JapanRyu Ga Gotoku Studio's upcoming Project Century offers a glimpse into a new Yakuza-inspired game set in 1915 Japan. While details are scarce, the reveal trailer showcased a gritty, action-packed world with a mysterious protagonist.
Read more »
Inmates are fighting California wildfires in long-running and controversial practiceCalifornia has turned to incarcerated firefighters since 1915. To those opposed to the use of inmates as firefighters, the system is seen as exploitative.
Read more »
Biden considering clemency for death-row inmates — including men who slaughtered children, fellow inmates: reportToday's Video Headlines: 12/20/24
Read more »
Biden Commutess Sentences of 37 Federal Death Row Inmates, Including Seven Texas InmatesPresident Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates, including seven from Texas, to life in prison without parole. This action aligns with Biden's policy of reserving the death penalty for terrorism and hate-motivated mass murders.
Read more »
California Prison Inmates Fight WildfiresThe California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) deploys incarcerated firefighters to help contain the state's massive wildfires.
Read more »
Here’s Why California Inmates Are Fighting Los Angeles WildfiresHundreds of incarcerated firefighters, who are trained to respond to emergencies and disasters, were reportedly deployed in Los Angeles.
Read more »