A New Form of Slavery? Meet Incarcerated Firefighters Battling California’s Wildfires For $1 An Hour

[@anthonymodica971]

I was a inmate firefighter for the California youth authority(pine grove) from 96 through 97 and upon release was given employment by cdf which is now cal-fire. Most rewarding job ever and changed my life. Thank you captain Scott Watson from cdf you taught me everything including on how to become a real man

[@timphillips1218]

This type of reporting is what most citizens of our country should see. It shows how many felons are good people that have been caught making mistakes. It’s a crying shame how we treat our fellow Americans just to save money. I live in Florida where there is a measure on the ballot to restore voting rights to felons after they have served their time, as it should be. I have the feeling it will probably fail because a lot of people don’t think of people convicted of a crime as deserving of anything. These type of labor camps are a form of slavery that exist all around our country.

[@sharmon1911]

Mike Brown. Your a real credit to humanity man....seriously dont reproduce

[@mikebrown292]

@@sharmon1911 GO TRUMP GO GUNS AND GO AWAY ILLEGALS TRUMP IS STEAMROLLIN YOU TURD BURGLARS INTO THE GROUND😂✌

Attaboy Mikey bore the fuck out of everyone.

[@victoriousvic3459]

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HOUSE AND FEED AN INMATE PER YEAR??? A LOT MORE THAN THE REAL FIRE FIGHTERS MAKE ANNUALLY!!! NOBODY FORCED THESE INMATES TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT!!!

[@BARZEL343]

It’s not slavery. If you commit a crime, you should pay your debt to society. These low salaries are exactly that. But after your debt is paid, your record should be wiped clean and you should be allowed to reintegrate into society without having to wear the label of an ex-con. Prisons should have more vocational programs to help inmates reintegrate.

[@tommygoff4308]

My buddy went through this program. He now has a career fighting fire and makes much more than I do in the private sector.

[@tsmith3709]

The opportunity is there if he wants it.

[@imguevara09]

Oh yeah where is this at?

[@seanmichael8202]

Your testimony, on behalf of your buddy, shows the reality of true redemption. Hearing these stories and watching these men take that path, is inspiring to me, and I’ve never committed a felony. Although there are politics and subtleties that one could argue against the system and how it uses inmates for savings, the idea that some of these men make true changes in their lives by making an actual difference... man... It’s just really awesome. I had no idea these men existed. I live in the San Bernardino mountains, close by Oak Glen Conservation Camp #35. They just put out the Apple Fire. I am grateful for that program and would 100% vote for and represent those men and that program. It is actually very likely that I’ll have to rely on them to save my neighborhood. Yes, they should be paid more... But, I’ll tell you, for them, I almost guarantee that’s not at the forefront of their thoughts. They’re redeeming their pasts in Biblical proportions. I’m truly amazed by them. Furthermore, I really appreciate this reporting. Great job. Awesome to hear about your buddy. Thanks for sharing.

[@victorregalado5464]

@@seanmichael8202 thanks Sean I did 2 Fire seasons 2018 2019 more people need to hear your words of encouragement. As inmate firefighters we are the HotShots crews of CalFire I left camp bench pressing 315lbs this work is for the Strong thanks Captains & Cal Fire.

[@seanmichael8202]

Victor Regalado; Yeah, you guys are nuts dude. Probably the gnarliest way you could give back to the community. I mean, hey... for all those who’ve come out of incarceration with that kind of service under their belt? Respect 🤙

[@BeyondExtinctionLove]

You know what else is sick, when these people get out of prison, they will never be hired as a fireman because of their convictions. #endprisonsforprofit

[@Airith4]

Some people support prisons for profit. Pretty appalling comment section. Several people who have commented here apparently support slavery.

[@joseluiscruz9720]

Arizona has a program that dose a allow inmates to pursue a career in firefighting. Of course iff they choose to maybe, we can use their model as reference point on how we can implement it here..

[@markmadlock8185]

straight hypocrites!

[@civilmack]

This is a lie, at least in CA. Calfire allows ex-felons to compete for jobs.

[@tsmith3709]

Not true. They can get jobs with private agencies, the feds, or even cal fire.

[@slevin4591]

I was basically forced to accept a felony for a small amount of marijuana ten years ago. If I would have fought the charges and lost I could have received up to 12 years in prison so I accepted plea deal. Now I can’t get a decent job and can’t seem to get back on track. Failed relationships because no one really wants to deal with someone permanently hamstrung by a felony record. People should know that a felony is a life sentence. No second chances in America for people without resources. Trump and the Republicans can sell us out the the Russians for some cash while the rest of us are treated very harshly. America sucks!

[@sharmon1911]

Sad, but thats real talk

[@tsmith3709]

lilbeserk 81k a year in California average cost per inmate.

[@RoyceGunner]

I don’t know where you from, but here in the Bay Area unions are booming, construction. I’m a union carpenter in SF, apprentices start off around $31 and in 4 years of apprenticeship you become a JM and make $50 and believe me a lot of us in the union are felons... America was build on immigrants and felons. Join a union brother

[@Magnogangas]

An inmate must volunteer for the fire camp program; no one is involuntarily assigned to work in a fire camp. Volunteers must have “minimum custody” status, or the lowest classification for inmates based on their sustained good behavior in prison, their conforming to rules within the prison and participation in rehabilitative programming.

[@11maxfan]

Why try to defend this? Sure they volunteer but they are in a literal prison...I would call that much of a choice. There is no justification for carceral logic

[@stephancote4745]

The bigger problem here is they have no chance of using these skills when they get out so much for true rehabilitation.

[@sharmon1911]

system is rigged...

[@tsmith3709]

Not true. They can get jobs with private firefighting companies, the feds, or even Cal fire.

[@suzannebennett8987]

Stephan, I agree. If they could take these skills into the community and earn a good living after they have paid their debt to society, I would have no problem with any of the rest of it. The fact that they learn this important skill and then just have to walk away from it is a waste of time and resources for all concerned.

[@alexandriaahopemorales4334]

Some inmates continue to work with cal fire , my bf did this program and after he was released he got a job with cal fire.

[@suzannebennett8987]

@@alexandriaahopemorales4334 That's good to know! :)

[@suitautolo7359]

I was locked up with Vince. I was in valley view camp fire camp. Also known as camp 34. My position was 2nd saw. I’m happy to see that we are finally recognized.

[@suzannebennett8987]

The firefighter you interviewed, Dante, seemed proud of the work he does, and that's important too.

[@billyzorchman1135]

My brother is in the fire camps... He lucked out and got an initial 5 year sentence knocked down to half. Yes, I understand the objections to this type of program, but for him, it has been a life saver. He sat rotting in a county hell hole for a year, growing more hardened and mean while still using drugs, being treated like shit by C.O.s, and constantly having to fight and participate in gang nonsense. He had the CHOICE of state prison or the camp once he qualified and he CHOSE the camp - not just because of the reduction in time served, but because it was something meaningful and productive away from the harshness of an animalistic existence in prison. He's now clean, fit, happy and proud; he's hopeful and motivated. They treat them well. He feels respected as a person. He's excited about the service they provide. It's a safer environment with less restrictions. The fire camps pay more than any other prison job and the cut in time is a tradeoff for the service to the State. The State does not have to offer this program, but inmates DO have to serve their sentence; this is just a much better alternative in my - and my brother's - opinion. If we're starting a conversation about overhauling the prison system and you want to start at the micro-level, let's not begin with the one decent program CDCR has going.

[@SqueakyPeeps]

Inmates can get a max of $2400 once released out of prison to start a new life. That money is gone so quickly if you can't get a job with a felony record.

[@mparrischell]

I find the removal of the right to vote the most troubling. Because the law is applied in many cases in a prejudicial manner it acts as a discriminatory method of disenfranchisement.

[@MrMakemusicmike]

Legacy from slave codes.

[@mparrischell]

@@MrMakemusicmike I agree.

[@mparrischell]

@lilbeserk That's the US. In other more civilized countries voting is a more sacrosanct activity. Perhaps that's why the US is the most violent and has the highest incarceration rate of any first world country.

[@mparrischell]

@lilbeserk I seem to have triggered you. Your reading comprehension appears as poor as your country's incarceration rate and violence. I said of FIRST WORLD NATIONS the US is the most violent and has the highest incarceration rate.

[@mparrischell]

@lilbeserk Facts are challenging to those in the thrall of ideology. The US is becoming more irrelevant by the day thanks to a sexual pervert and ignoramus in the office of the president. American conservative Christianity is a perverted and morally depraved stain on the world. Every empire has its day in the sun...American exceptionalism is no different from Roman or English exceptionalism...it's already too late ...you're done.😊

[@fritz8gk]

I believe that these are all volunteers, they are not forced to fight fires.

[@Ericxnugz]

Better being out and working then being in a cell for years stuck in your head but crazy some people like that

[@lovelyskull3483]

These men should be proud of their work and courage.

[@mehjones8008]

$74K/year is about $36/hour, for perspective, vs. the $1/hr. Great reporting. Keep fighting, Amy & Juan.

[@tsmith3709]

It costs the taxpayers an average of 81k a year to house an inmate. They have everything provided to them. AND make money...do you make 81k and have everything else provided to you?? Clothing, food , air conditioning, heat, television, books, rec equipment, education, medical/mental health, dental health, the list goes on...

[@REELSreuploader]

@@tsmith3709 so we should allow people like inmates to run around freely all because you don’t want to pay taxes?

[@tsnyder3602]

@@REELSreuploader not sure from 4 years ago what I was responding to. Something had to have been deleted or edited as stated in op comments. I never said anything about inmates being free and not wanting to pay taxes. On the contrary, we will likely be paying more taxes as the program has been cut down to about a third population of where it was 4 years ago. That mean CAL FIRE has had to pay for free people to work to make up the lack of innate firefighters.

[@silvertortoise3776]

Excellent job with this one

[@DrShawneeLazoreDOHHDPhDML]

#EndPrisonsforProfit

[@awolff3381]

At least the officers believe these men deserve more and admit they are doing the harder jobs. I do think prisoners should get more at least 7 dollars an hour and I do agree after serving their time they should get their voting rights back but I don't think they should be voting till they have finished the sentence the court gave them

[@RunninGunner04]

I mean, when I volunteer as a firefighter in Oregon I don’t get a cent. These volunteer inmates are getting 1$ per hour. I am grateful that these guys are helping because out on the west coast we need all the help we can get.

[@t04v7]

Excellent reporting! Would love to see more of this format from you, DN. Really powerful.

[@elizdonovan1965]

The United States was built on slavery. So why does this surprise anyone? What would California do if they did not have as a resource those prisoners? Also, need to investigate the ‘for profit’ prisons. Does the above give judges an incentive to give harsher sentences than might be otherwise be the case? Just posing the questions. Not suggesting that prisoners justly convicted shouldn’t serve sentences. However if there is a saving of 100 million $ per year from using prison labor the question needs to be asked ... does California need to maintain its big prison population by any means it can? 🌲🙂☘️

[@Nutmeg142]

No it wasn’t. Slavery was but a small part of the story. Put the social justice pamphlets down.

[@jeansullivan9585]

This is idiocy. Slavery at it's best. When he get out he can't get credit toward the work he dose as a fire fighter other then $1.00 HOUR. WHAT CAN OF MONEY CAN HE SEND HOME TO HIS FAMILY??

[@tsmith3709]

What slavery? They volunteer and are compensated...

[@cmonkey525]

Many of those inmates can get job on fire crews right out of prison, and are actually sought out because they already have the training and experience. They are hired onto hotshot crew and roll right into the $50-70k a year paycheck.

[@ewalker1057]

Really excellent reporting. Cannot get this elsewhere. I have to give it to the guards. They are supportive. You can see pride in the prisoners for what they do. Yes they should be paid more.

[@RunninGunner04]

If they volunteer I don’t think there is a need, I have 4-5 relatives that were on the front lines of a wildfire in Oregon last year as volunteers. They were paid nothing.

[@ewalker1057]

@@RunninGunner04 You have a right to your thoughts. Just because someone volunteers doesn't mean they shouldn't be paid. Are they pressured to volunteer?

[@RunninGunner04]

@@ewalker1057 no, it’s an option if they want to lessen their sentence length. Personally if I was ever a prisoner I would love the program because I would be able to get out faster

[@SqueakyPeeps]

In my job working with recently released inmates, I've met many men who were HotShots. They told me the job is brutal, but they are on shift for 24 hrs, then 24hrs off. While back at camp, they are fed well and made comfortable. When they are on their shift, they mostly dig and cut line just as the men stated in the video. Every single one that I spoke to said they'd rather be out in nature, despite the heat, than in a jail cell being fearful of getting jumped. They like that they were taught skills and have their sentences cut in half. Several of them chose to be hired as full-time firefighters after they were released. If you have a felony on your record, it's next to impossible to find a company to hire you, so they resort to selling drugs or other illegal activity to earn money. By having the option of working for the forestry service, gives them a chance to build their lives back. California has been using inmates to fight fires and other labor jobs since 1946.

[@fresnogrizzly5290]

I was in a fire camp back in the 90s. It's crazy to see that the guys are still only making a buck an hour.

[@maryistulsafox]

The best firefighters in California cannot be firefighters in California because of a criminal record

[@sheritasmiles]

All those men should be trained and given jobs as fire fighters when they get out. That would assure that they would stay away from crime

[@tsmith3709]

rita hills maybe they don’t want to be firefighters after they parole

[@brianjett5718]

I would have killed to have had this opportunity when I was locked up. Dangerous men are well suited for dangerous work. It gets you off the block, and helps you build up good time. Quit being outraged, you're gonna fuck it up for everybody!!

[@philosopherbytes3758]

Too late. They just closed CCC.

[@quoteunquote13aac]

At a minimum, these inmate firefighters should earn a real wage for the work that they do protecting our communities from fire. That said, this is an excellent program to offer inmates a chance at work when they are released.

[@p.jjhullur6717]

The truth! Who is benefitting from their deadly labor?

[@markmadlock8185]

the same oppressor that always has benefited

[@elizdonovan1965]

State of California directly profits. 🌲🙂☘️

[@tsmith3709]

State of California taxpayers

[@roygbiv3305]

firefighting requires hard skills and the inmate firefighters are all, as a result, experienced. the mass media better call the government for establishing a new system of hiring ex-prisoners as official firefighters.

[@fishingenthusiast0]

2 dollar per day and 1 dollar per hour in active fires for risking your life, thats crazy and if you die there is no security your family get nothing, if this is not slavery i dont know what is.

[@RunninGunner04]

It’s volunteer work you morron, My uncle volunteers at our local fire dept. makes 0, is that slavery too?

[@JW-ku9bf]

74,000 a year is for municipal city departments, us federal wildland firefighters earn 13-15 an hour and were temps only working about 6 months a year... you are fake news

[@miahleissa9599]

I had no idea this was going on. This story makes me feel sick. These are HUMANS who can not even vote or find a decent job when they get out most of the time! and ONE dollar an HOUR to risk their lives? and for so LITTLE time off their sentence? Oh, this is crazy opportunist. How on earth are their mothers supposed to sleep at night?

[@tsmith3709]

Two days off for every one is little time??? That’s a ton! They usually get to vote when they off parole. They possibly took away some other persons rights...they can afford to lose theirs.

[@tmillchr]

Prison labor are the perfect tools for the State. They are dispensable chattel. If the incarcerated crew finds the true cause of the remote fires, and attempt to tell anyone, they can be easily erased. The fires are caused by rising lava fields. There is no doubt that the inexplicably high volume of remote forest fires, basement fires and oil well explosions are caused by extreme heat from rising magma plumes. That's why so many firefighters are "committing suicide" or involved in "auto accidents," or "untimely deaths" lately. A local NBC station reported that a firefighter was terminated after she insisted to her superiors that she wanted to check the basement of an apartment fire. Why would they fire her for following protocol?

[@andrewswieringa3057]

It’s smart we use inmates on cal fires.its extremely cheap for Cal Fire and It gives the prisoners a healthy outlet to better their future. In this program, the inmates go through all the same training any crew member goes through. They take an evaluation test and the go through basic training and the fitness aspect of the course. Then they take a final test to show if they have enough knowledge to go to camp. After they get put on parole they can easily go through cal fire and get a job, so it sounds stupid to compare it to “slavery”. Yes they do the hard jobs and get payed less, but it a price worth sacrificing. They get a brighter future and have a way to get a job even with their criminal record. So to all the people who are going to say “this is just wrong to treat them like they’re slaves” or “ they should get payed more since they are doing the hardest jobs”, just think for a second on what the inmates are achieving through the work they are putting into this program.

[@stinkypete891]

Bullshit.

[@rv8320]

Thanks for reporting this for us.

[@melodyivey8066]

I know two people who were in fire camps. I don't see it as slave labor. Actually they are blessed to be there instead of a concrete cell. They have to see it that way for themselves

[@PraiseG423]

Wow slavery has become very sophisticated. And it's all created by the law. And the law is created by rich people who profit off the slave labor. This is quite incredible.

[@irvingsantana4155]

Has anyone ever wondered what kind of food prisoners eat? Some people say it is animal feed. Are the States trying to be cheap or thieves? How bad is the prison? Inmates rather risk their lives in a fire than inside prison. How are inmates able to send money to their families with a dollar an hour? They should be Compensated as much as any Californian employee who is willing to risk their lives. Give inmates better food, better beds, windows, private bathrooms & showers , and free soap & toothpaste and phone calls. The prices on commissary should not be inflated.

[@b1aflatoxin]

I'm on the fence with this particular firefighter issue. Funny, what I found most unfair is that many inmates including the disabled aren't able to work this job, and can't "earn" days off their sentence.

[@tsmith3709]

b1aflatoxin okay, yeah, that sucks, but really you can have a disabled person working in some types of jobs. I’m gonna roll my wheelchair out on a fire line??? Seriously?

[@FranciscoRodriguez-be6ik]

Slavery has never been illegal or completely abolished in Amerikkka! FACT.

[@Magnogangas]

When a person has finished probation, a suspended sentence, or actually served time incarcerated and is released, that person returns to society supposedly having paid their debt to society and ready to reintegrate into the world. However, it is soon apparent that a person’s criminal record…the record of arrest, conviction and sentencing…can have long term or even permanent effect on his or her future role.... now that sad.... not working and being productive

[@garyjohnson9037]

Nice report, thank you D.N....

[@bonjouritsizzy3405]

people in power don't care, they don't care about the welfare of people, its about profit & business & power they don't give a fuck.

[@Ms_Kymm]

that 1st inmate is a little too happy being a slave, he's going to get his wakeup call when he gets out.... but I'm impressed at how excited he is about just doing a good job at his first time given that opportunity, he quickly and easily became a part of a team and he's proud of it (despite the slave wages) that's what rehabilitation should be about, if they had meaningful jobs where they can be appreciated on the outside, they may not have ended up on the inside in a lot of cases

[@cmonkey525]

Many of those inmates rol right into FF jobs with calfire or the forest service when they get released, and continue being part of a team and family while making VERY good money.

[@megajonnyboii]

Being a slave? He is in prison. He has little rights as it is. Having been incarcerated myself in California, I wish I would have done something constructive as fighting fires and saving lives. I say that if you dont like making 1 dollar an hour, then do right by the law and dont go to prison.

[@johnnyboy2696]

I understand the debate here, but I would like to know what is the cost to taxpayers for their court trials and to jail them for the crimes they committed? Is that factored in?

[@mikeg0802]

I imagine most of them would rather fight fires than sit in a jail cell all day….probably have a higher life expectancy fighting fires too…

[@AIRBORNE611]

Pay them a decent wage! Great reporting!!!

[@RunninGunner04]

If they are full time employees of the fire department and aren’t volunteers definitely. If they are volunteers I don’t really care what they make, just as when I volunteer in the fire dept I don’t get a cent.

[@terrylynch415]

Getting time off their sentences pretty good pay!

[@sneakypuppy7705]

New?? This program has been in effect since WWII!

[@Iamjdubb]

The pay rate in this video is not accurate

[@markosborn1242]

Volunteer rural fire fighters in Australia get paid one dollar an hour less than these guys. We don't do it for the money obviously.

[@americafirst7676]

These inmates definitely deserve to be paid a hazard pay but remember they voluntarily wanted this job and work . There getting time cut off there sentences 2 days for every day on the crew . So you have to look at it from both side how would you feel if you were a victim of one of these men . If I was a victim this would be probably the only job where I would say you deserve to have your time cut because your definitely earning a new respect on life and how doing good is more infective on the heart than bad . Look at other videos where these inmates saved people’s homes and the homeowners where allowed to thank them and give them a hug . Some inmates actually cried from how proud they felt ! There is former inmate firefighters that are free on hotshot crews as we speak . They got out and instantly joined a hotshot crew and do it for a living now . That’s something to be proud of and I believe people deserve a second chance and that second chance is usually successful when you find something you can be proud to do . I think she’s wrong to accuse this as slave labor , yes argue the wage fact that’s kinda pathetic wage for what there risking but again they signed up for it , there not forced to do this job and of course Cali is super smart and will use this to the states benefit why wouldn’t you !! Here these guys aren’t part of the problem anymore there part of a solution , there saving the state millions of YOUR tax dollars , then there cutting there time down in jail by 2/3 Thirds , saving the taxpayer again the 52 thousand dollars a year it cost the taxpayer to house , feed , educate and medicate these inmates . Could you imagine how much your taxes would have to go up if you did away with these firefighter programs !!! Not trying to sound inhumane or just being a D@&k but these guys went to prison for a crime , there time is the debt they owe the citizens of the state or country or there victim . So kinda lucky to even get paid money’s because again there getting 2 days time cut for every day on that program , which is definitely deserved for what there risking !!! These men have there Great War to fight or it’s like there marine corps, they get something that is not easily earned and the pride that comes with it and I really really believe every man that did this program probably changed there life bigtime after they got out . They will have something to tell there kids or family a story that the average man wouldn’t do or be brave enough to do and they went into the gates of hell and came out the other end truly heroes !!! As a Vol interior residential firefighter and I’ve only had two medium fuel based wild land fires under my belt I was the most petrified and physically challenged fighting a baby forest fires compared to these guys !!! It takes a special person and huge balls to do that job in a raging forest I would rather fight a house fire inside than any forest fire because I was absolutely terrified running up a mountain because we screwed up and had to run for our lives !!! I no a story here but I tip my hat to these men !! To call this slavery would take something away from these men because that’s saying there basically forced to do it and that’s definitely not the fact these men choose to do this great honorable job and save our forests and our people!!! I absolutely believe these men definitely should get paid a lot better ! A hazard pay because yeh they owe a debt but they are for sure putting there lives on the line during these insanely scarey and dangerous forest fires !! Again kinda pulled either way but why not pay them better so they can send money home to there families that are probably struggling. Thx for reading my comment story lol I have a lot to say about it because on both sides this relates to me a lot . Good job men

[@ac1dP1nk]

3:46-3:55 wo

[@feseha100]

Don’t call it rehabilitation when your forcing them to fight fire and give them not shit and when they get out the government doesn’t get them jobs when they are done

[@maxhallman1036]

They aren't forced to do this

[@dithril3042]

But isn't the point of punishment is to atone for the damage to society? I think its a positive example of paying back to the society and saving the community some money, also gives prisoners some perspective. Could be done for other difficult jobs in other places too (ofc there shouldn't be any abuse or profit to private companies)

[@cottonrobinson9401]

lastly, I had retired 3 years ago from both wildland and structural. What was the bottle if comment at first saying that prisoners are not NorCal firefighters only to act as though they are not as worth as much or not worth as much as other fibrefighters and I would say the people whom are getting paid to be in the way would be the prison guards. The fact if you were to keep the guards at command post and if a prisoner doesn’t check in then they can go take their out of shape big belly having guards whom i doubt the guards even take the pack test and potentially could cause a bigger problem be being in the way and not having a the proper hand tool on them and assume they are have a firearm on them while doubt they too are wearing wildfire ppe

[@drewmiller8831]

Research the divide and efficacies of Cal Fire vs the USFS-important to see the varied workload and successes of the different organizations. Definitely warrants media coverage as most citizens don't understand the background of the situation.

[@MG-OG]

Have seen a couple videos about this. They are inmates but with everything they do they should be paid a bit more. They do this much needed community service. Working to payback society and learning a job skill for when they get out.I fell like there should be more programs like this that really rehabilitate people.

[@Caitlin_TheGreat]

The job itself is fine -- family members of mine are wildland firefighters associated with CalFire who would argue that THEY do the hardest work. The difference is that they are paid incredibly well, given the hazards of the profession. The injustice here is the pittance given to inmates. While in prison this is a gig that's sought after because you get out of a cell and into nature (though it's usually on fire) and you get a reduction in your sentence. That's all nice but even so it's not a fair compensation. Perhaps the income could be set aside, to be paid out after the inmate is released. Also, I find it suspicious that not only are they not allowed to vote (at least should be able to once their time is up) but apparently not even allowed to speak about politics or express opinions about rights. That's some hardcore oppression we've got going on here. I've heard repeatedly though that the firefighting program is one of the best programs in California prisons. And I think that aside from the basically non-existent pay that is true. But I don't understand why we all accept that while being held against your will in prison it's also okay to be denied almost all of your other rights too. Doesn't seem like a good way to get people to respect society or its laws when they are mistreated so severely. Fear it, perhaps, but that just leads to resentment and grudges and getting stuck in situations where more trouble occurs.

[@Kattywampus]

I threw up in my mouth a little.

[@eirvingdiaz7185]

human exploitation is a crime. No excuse. They should earn the same pay as professional firefighters. $ 1.00 an hour or . 85 € an hour. And freedom of speech includes political speech even inmates have this inherit right. No excuse.

[@sneakypuppy7705]

This is a voluntary program. No one is forcing them.

[@ktdin319]

Only At Democracy Now!

[@valhala56]

These people are volunteering for dangerous work and they are low risk low security prisoners. So why have them wear these jail jumpsuits? Why not have then dress as regular firefighters and have written on the clothes inmate or something, why does the state always want to humilate you.

[@elizabethchavez2491]

ValhalaFiveSix They wear “these jail jumpsuits” because they are State PRISONERS, not “regular firefighters”. Like the inmate said they work side by side with CalFire and that’s what counts. Not who gets to wear what. They are treated with respect because they earned it. Just too bad they don’t get better pay. They get some freedom, fresh air, program, good food and much satisfaction of doing a good job. Better than sitting in a concrete cell. Trust, bet the inmate is not tripping on their gear.

[@4CFPV]

Money=speech and corporations are people, but prisoners aren't allowed to express political opinions in this interview? Wtf?

[@cottonrobinson9401]

They risk their lives for property and people who they do not know while saving taxpayers money by a hundred million dollars… I am not in California! I live in Colorado and I am a retired structural and wildland firefighter . Not only is it a hard job to cut line with Pulaski and McClouds and danger can take place like he said widow makers and other dangers or a quick wind change and lives can easily be at risk ….

[@arja2317]

They aren't even allowed to say the word vote apparently.

[@tiffanyr4355]

That's why jails are big business

[@AntonioTorres-zm9ln]

Nice good job be safe

[@adamrodriguez721]

I've been to mt home cc and Acton LA fire camp. There's something you need to know I was promised half time but ended up doing 85% of my time. Personally it was a good experience just cause I'm into hiking and working out so the physical part wasn't that hard for me personally. But we frontline firefighters for sure take the biggest assignment and risk. It's political

[@kameeshafreeman781]

Oh my the conflict in my brain

[@nicevideomancanada]

Are these inmates given the opportunity to be hired as a FT Paid Firefighter upon completion of their sentence? I think it's a good question.

[@markmadlock8185]

NO!

[@tsmith3709]

They can gain employment following prison with private companies, the feds, or even cal fire.

[@tiffanyr4355]

This is what I mean if it's not like A murder charge or Rape charge Why not let Then go for time served If they served enough and it's not one of those 2 Other charges Even with drug charges yeah no one should sell drugs but they're not forcing anyone to take them people choose to take drugs just like people choose to abuse their medicines Just stuff like that I feel if they served a lot of time already they should just let them go and make room for bigger crimes

[@MartialVillager]

Hmm... This guy Dante wants to be in Hollywood so he was eager to get his face out there and tell us that these conditions are no big deal? WTF

[@bonjouritsizzy3405]

why arent political questions or debates allowed between a journalist and an inmate? a human being should have rights, white people in power need to go down. the political debate pertains to them.

[@tsmith3709]

bonjour itsizzy maybe because the staff had a job to do, like continue safety and security of the whole camp. Not like the state can afford to pay overtime to have extra staff on hand for this report. The political questions could have lasted all day...the report is on fire camps not politics.

[@namakudamono]

Thank you Democracy Now, excellent journalism.

[@alandeanreeder]

Slave Labor Revolution 2.0 Resistance is not futile..

[@Jraymiami]

Amy’s great

[@TheHsraiders9688]

This is an awesome program glad to see California doing something right... I agree the should make a little more however the one inmate brings up a good point they are being compensated pretty well by getting the 2 days of there sentence for every one day of work. So I dont say this often but great job California.

[@abcg8845]

How many die????

[@morecringe89]

Because doing stupid things should be free of punishment. Time to push people through windows, I promise will be by mistake

[@avidreader1072]

W O N D E R F U L !! Gives these people a chance to repay their debts to society, also to treated as valued individuals and give them a sense of pride. God bless !!

[@JUBABU4]

It’s only New if you never read the Constitution! Smh.

[@treecek]

Sorry, no pity. That is the least they can do to make up for the cost we all have to pay to house them for doing criminal acts. Am so sick of everybody and their victimhood.

[@theblaccsheeep]

Like A True American

[@Magnogangas]

they are not obligated they want to go!

[@MrMakemusicmike]

Black dude looks like Kanye West.

[@Jakeb0079]

If you are in prison for more than a year you should absolutely be forced to work. And for NO money at that. Follow the damn rules.

[@Ricklasers]

How many have died? Still listening so maybe she tells us.

[@drvp1997]

No political questions? Bullshit!

[@ijgijk4013]

My good nigga Dutch 👍🏾🤣👍🏾 💯

[@tiffanyr4355]

But the firefighters will have better equipment If they all fighting a fire it shall have the sam eequipment

[@josiahsuarez]

:(

[@lordsanada3121]

AS THE LAST POETS SAID, "FROM THE OLD MISSISSIPPI TO THE NEW MISSISSIPPI!!" HOW MUCH TIME DO THEY GET CHOPPED OFF THEIR SENTENCES? GREAT REPORT.

[@noblelies]

What a horrible title. That $1/hr. doesn't account for free room, free board, free medical, free education, free career training, oh and let's not forget that it's still supposed to be prison. Inmates don't get into these programs for the wages. They go because it literally means they can have anywhere from 50% to 66% shaved off of their sentences. Time is worth much more than money.

[@humboldthottakes]

Wow. That’s some Foucaultian bullshit.

[@lmsdynasty3651]

I was locked up with bro his name tk from Long Beach

[@eileenmc4746]

thank you for risking your life. I hope you get a fair raise and treatment. close private prisons who profit off prisoners. only government ones.

[@moussaouiahmed]

.................... .AM

[@jamesjacocks6221]

I can see absolutely no problem with using prisoners (voluntary/compensated) for fire fighting. You have to be looking for causes to disapprove of this. I am sure the prisoners appreciate getting out. I am hoping that this doesn't sound uncaring because I care very much about the prisoners, so many having never committed any appreciable harm, just broken laws. I just wonder about all the winers who know nothing about being a prisoner and I do.

[@jamesjacocks6221]

Yes they do, although I do feel the risk is slight (see the interview w/inmate). What was you point? That they should be paid more or shouldn't be asked to volunteer?

[@IkeTurnerDickHair]

slight.Business wise a life is more costly if family sues for death

[@mrhombreman]

@@jamesjacocks6221 yeah, if they're working like everyone else, they should get paid like everyone else. Same amount of work equal same pay. Otherwise it's exploitation. Now, some might feel they deserve to exploited but that doesn't take away ths fact that this is de facto slave labour.

[@jamesjacocks6221]

xzOrg. This is pay after room and board, if you will. It would need be involuntary to be exploitation, no?

[@mehjones8008]

First of all, you're a WHINER not a winer, unless you down a lot of wine. More important is the way you characterized their "getting out"--like firefighting is just a walk in the park. SMH

[@johnfall3655]

I'm sorry slavery? These men volunteered and now have a chance to better themes while incarcerated and now have a chance to set up a career once there released. Your the type media this country should be worried about

[@babycakes2077]

Calibama....