"Once upon a time I was putting a lot of harm on my own community,"
"Now's it's my time to shine and give back."
"Nobody who puts their life on the line for other people should earn any less than "
Two laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom make California's inmate firefighting camps permanent and increase pay for inmate firefighters during active emergencies. State and Los Angeles County agencies operate 35 fire camps where inmates train as certified wildland firefighters, and more than 1,100 inmate firefighters assisted wildfire response in Los Angeles this year. The Youth Offender Program at Pine Grove and Growlesberg trains inmates under 25, provides education and mentorship, began as a 2023 pilot, and will become permanent. Emergency pay will be raised to match the minimum wage ($7.25), replacing daily rates of $5.80–$10.24 plus a $1 hourly wildfire bonus. Participants can reduce sentences, work outside prison walls, and gain job training for post-release employment.
Read at The Mercury News
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