California wildfire | Nearly 800 inmates involved in firefighting earn only US$5.8 to US$10.2 per day

Wildfires in the Los Angeles area have been burning for nearly a week, with over 14,000 emergency personnel engaged in firefighting efforts.

On Jan. 13, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that nearly 800 inmates participated in firefighting, raising concerns about the low wages for these "inmate firefighters."

Reports indicate that these inmates work on building firebreaks and clearing debris, helping to address California's fire service shortages. However, they earn only US$5.8 to US$10.2 per day, while California's minimum wage is US$16.5 per hour. In contrast, firefighters with the Los Angeles Fire Department earn annual salaries ranging from US$85,000 to US$124,000.

The inmate firefighter program has a history spanning over 100 years, allowing inmates to earn an additional US$1 per hour for emergency tasks and offering benefits such as sentence reductions and days off for every day worked through the time credits program. Currently, inmate firefighters make up about 30% of California's firefighting force.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, inmates who wish to participate must meet several criteria, including good behavior, a remaining sentence of no more than eight years, and no serious offenses involving arson, sexual crimes, or violence. California has 25 such camps providing training for disaster response, including wildfires and floods. However, there are concerns regarding the extent of voluntary participation among inmates.

The program has faced long-standing criticism for low pay and the high risks involved. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian have recently called for higher wages for these inmate firefighters, highlighting the dangers they face, with some even losing their lives in firefighting efforts. Despite this, some inmate firefighters have expressed that working in the program is preferable to remaining in prison under poor conditions.

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