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.
