As everyone has seen in the news lately last week throughout Southern California fires were scorching the land. Thousands of firefighters came from all over the country to help battle the fires that extended from San Diego county all the to Ventura county. What many people may not know is that thousands of these firefighters protecting peoples homes are prisoners serving time in jail. An article on this program can be seen here.
California has a program that has been in place since the 1940’s which allows in times of emergencies convicted prisoners the opportunity to help fight fires. The prisoners must fit a certain description in that they must be physically fit, not be violent crime offernders and also have between 4 and 36 months left on their prison terms. What the prisoners get from such efforts is compensation of a whopping $1 per hour worked. In addition and maybe more importantly for every day the prisoners work to help fight fires they get two days knocked off their prison sentence, which can ultimately get prisoners out of an already crowded prison system in California.
This program also has many underlying benefits that may not appear at a quick glance. The prisoners have an opportunity to help in the communities they may have commited crimes in in the past. The prisoners save the state of California over $80 million dollars in taxes annually. Prisoners must go through a rigourous four week crash course in which they learn about firse safety and how to help supress existing fires. Also many prisoners learn practical knowledge that they can apply when they get out of prison.
There are mixed feelings among people whether this program is a good idea or if it helps convicted prisoners get out of their sentences and gives them to much freedom. Some argue that by giving prisoners this opportunity they are not being fully punished for the crimes they commited. The benefits of this program greatly outnumber any of the negative effects this program will have. This program rehabilitates and gives non violent criminals an opportunity to prepare for their life outside of prison and teaches them to become productive individuals in society.
California has a program that has been in place since the 1940’s which allows in times of emergencies convicted prisoners the opportunity to help fight fires. The prisoners must fit a certain description in that they must be physically fit, not be violent crime offernders and also have between 4 and 36 months left on their prison terms. What the prisoners get from such efforts is compensation of a whopping $1 per hour worked. In addition and maybe more importantly for every day the prisoners work to help fight fires they get two days knocked off their prison sentence, which can ultimately get prisoners out of an already crowded prison system in California.
This program also has many underlying benefits that may not appear at a quick glance. The prisoners have an opportunity to help in the communities they may have commited crimes in in the past. The prisoners save the state of California over $80 million dollars in taxes annually. Prisoners must go through a rigourous four week crash course in which they learn about firse safety and how to help supress existing fires. Also many prisoners learn practical knowledge that they can apply when they get out of prison.
There are mixed feelings among people whether this program is a good idea or if it helps convicted prisoners get out of their sentences and gives them to much freedom. Some argue that by giving prisoners this opportunity they are not being fully punished for the crimes they commited. The benefits of this program greatly outnumber any of the negative effects this program will have. This program rehabilitates and gives non violent criminals an opportunity to prepare for their life outside of prison and teaches them to become productive individuals in society.
5 comments:
How common is it for inmates (the ones that meet the regulations that you already described) to fight these fires? And in terms of the 4-week crash course, was this training truly adequate in battling the southland's most recent, destructive fires? I highly doubt that 4 weeks of intense training can meausure up to any of the veterans on the field. But it's interesting, though. In saving the state of CA $80 million in taxes, I wonder how much of a liablity they would be in the event of injury or death - probably far less than a real firefighter. I guess that's a risk that the state is more than willing to take.
Although these inmates who are eligible to fight fires are relatively lower risk inmates, are they required to be closely monitored throughout the fire fighting process? I know that low risk inmates are even used to clean up various sites such as courthouses. In Guam, when the government runs low on money, they often turn to local inmates to trim public school lawns, which can lead to some risky business as well.
Although these inmates who are eligible to fight fires are relatively lower risk inmates, are they required to be closely monitored throughout the fire fighting process? I know that low risk inmates are even used to clean up various sites such as courthouses. In Guam, when the government runs low on money, they often turn to local inmates to trim public school lawns, which can lead to some risky business as well.
This is an interesting proposition. I mean, on the one hand, you save tons of money using man power of these prisoners.. and I guess the dangerous or questionable use of the prisoners can be placed aside due to the fact that there is supposedly a lengthy and strenuous screening/teaching process. The only things I would be worried about are if these processes are really that thorough and what happens if these prisoners are injured or even killed?
I believe there is good in everyone. Many convicts who are in the prison system arent given the chance to do more good for society. I see this as an opportunity for them to see what life used to be like before all of their rights were stripped by the legal system. I also believe this can be a deterrant showing them what they could have via good behavior. Not every criminal is a bad person, and some are wrongly accused. Dont get me wrong they are some people who deserve to be there, but there are many who are wrongly accused and want to change their lives.
Post a Comment