State corrections officials said more than 900 prison inmates are among more than 7,500 emergency workers fighting a massive wildfire that has devastated parts of Los Angeles, California.
“To date, 939 fire camp firefighters, including 110 support crews, are working to cut fire lines and remove fuel from behind structures to slow the spread of the fire,” the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said. told NPR on Friday
Although California has been using captive firefighters – and other laborers – for more than 100 years, the practice is and has been controversial banned on in Colorado, Vermont, Nebraska, Utah, Alabama, Oregon and Tennessee in recent years, according to Jurist News.
In states that allow it, including California, prisoners are often paid little or no money for hours of hard work, although the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes it clear that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude” is legal, “except as a punishment for the crime” in which the party shall have been duly convicted.
According to the CDRC, inmates are part of the fire brigade program voluntarily, and are paid only $5.80 to $10.24 per day, with additional pay during emergencies.
Rooftop footage shows hellish flames of Los Angeles fire
Californians had the option to get rid of prison labor when they voted on Proposition 6 in November, “which would have amended the state constitution to prohibit state prisons from forcing inmates to work,” the jurist said. Noting that prisoners who refuse to work may face legal consequences. Disciplinary consequences.
The ballot measure was rejected by a margin of 53.8 to 46.2 percent, the outlet reported.
CDRC said its prisoners do not face disciplinary action for refusing to participate in fire camp, and those who attend receive safety and first aid training.
Bianca Tylek, executive director of the criminal justice reform organization Worth Rises, told NPR that although some prisoners want to participate in the firefighting program, “it comes at a pretty steep price.”
As of 2018, incarcerated firefighters have a higher risk of serious injuries than professional firefighters working the same fires, four times more likely to suffer cuts and broken bones, and smoke inhalation-related They are eight times more likely to suffer from injuries. Investigation found.
According to Tylek, getting voters to change their minds on prison labor “is an ongoing effort.”
Several wildfires are still raging after they first broke out in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Tuesday, and at least 11 civilians have lost their lives since then.
