More than 1,000 incarcerated people are among the personnel helping fight the historic, and destructive, Southern California wildfires, providing crucial assistance in combating the blazes.
Royal Ramey of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program emphasized that while inmates gain valuable firefighting experience, barriers such as background checks and the need for EMT certifications hinder their chances of employment post-release.
In 2020, California passed legislation allowing nonviolent offenders who worked as inmate firefighters to clear their records, aiming to facilitate a smoother transition into firefighting jobs after incarceration.
Amid the aftermath of the destructive Los Angeles fires, families are facing an additional challenge with the ongoing shortage of affordable housing in the region, complicating their recovery.
Collection
[
|
...
]