Due To “Slavery Clause,” 30% Of LA Fires Are Being Fought By Inmates – FORBES. As the shock of the Los Angeles fires and their effect on so many communities, businesses and families is still being digested, lots of attention is being turned to those who are on the front lines fighting the flames.
Many people might not be aware that one particular group has long been depended on to battle wildfires: inmates.
While the 13th Amendment ended slavery in the United States, a loophole allows people convicted of crimes to be forced to work for public or private enterprises. In this case, those tasked with firefighting volunteer for those positions and must meet certain criteria. They are not assigned without their consent.
Their pay scale was doubled in 2023, and depending on the skill level and the task assigned, they either receive $0.16 to $0.74 an hour or a maximum day rate of $5.80 to $10.24 according to Forbes.
Chris Brown says that isn’t enough. He had this to say:
LA … MAKE SURE YALL THROW A CEREMONY OR PARADE FOR THESE FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AFTER THIS. ALSO THE PRISONERS WHO WERE OUT THERE RISKING THEY LIVES NEED TIME KNOCKED OFF THEIR SENTENCES. 🤷🏾♂️just saying”
Do you agree?
AOL reports additional bonuses for inmate firefighters, “when crews work a 24-hour shift, followed by a 24-hour period of rest, the lowest-skilled firefighter would earn $26.90 in a day.
Additionally, camp participants earn time credits toward their sentences. Specifically, most earn two additional days off their sentences for every day served on a fire crew.”
Camp participants are also eligible for employment with Cal Fire once they have served their sentences, a path many choose to take, according to CDCR. The department says some of these individuals have successfully transitioned to roles with Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, and interagency hotshot crews.
Some may argue that these recent “pay raises” and time credits are fair enough for inmates who respond to every day fires… but in the case of wildfires, should inmates receive MORE?
Let us know your thoughts 👇🏽
