During the recent wildfires in California, more than 1,000 incarcerated individuals played a significant role in helping to combat the state's destructive fires (NPR, 2025). This practice of using prison labor for firefighting is not a new development. Since 1915, California has relied on incarcerated individuals to assist in managing and suppressing wildfires. Moreover, this form of prison labor has been used across the United States for centuries to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. While some view this system as a valuable resource for both the community and the incarcerated individuals, it raises serious ethical concerns, including the potential exploitation of vulnerable people.
The Problem with Incarcerated Labor
The use of prison labor in natural disasters is not without controversy. Critics argue that this system is exploitative, and liken it to a form of modern-day slavery, as the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery "except as a punishment for crime." According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), incarcerated individuals working in the firefighting program are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day. While the department claims the work is voluntary, prisoners are required to participate in various programs, including firefighting, and may face penalties if they refuse (CDCR, 2024).
The Risks and Safety Concerns
Incarcerated firefighters face numerous dangers while working in hazardous conditions. A 2018 investigation by Time found that incarcerated individuals are at significantly higher risk of injury than their professional counterparts. In fact, they are over four times more likely to sustain cuts, bruises, or broken bones, and more than eight times as likely to suffer injuries from inhaling smoke, ash, and other debris (Time, 2018). These risks underscore the severity of the dangers faced by these individuals, who are often ill-equipped to handle such dangerous work without sufficient protective gear or adequate training.
The Conservation Fire Camp Program
The Conservation Fire Camp Program, a partnership between the CDCR, Cal Fire, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD), operates 35 conservation camps across 25 counties in California (CDCR, 2024). Inmates in the program undergo training in basic firefighting techniques, including first aid, and can earn time credits for their participation. For every day spent on a fire crew, participants can reduce their sentence by two days (NPR, 2025). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, incarcerated individuals accounted for roughly 30% of California's firefighting workforce. However, this number has since dropped to between 10% and 15% due to the pandemic's impact on the program (The Nature Conservancy, 2024).
Post-Release Challenges and Opportunities
While the program provides valuable job training and can reduce sentences for participants, there are significant barriers for incarcerated individuals once they are released from prison. Despite their experience, many struggle to find employment in firefighting or related fields. Royal Ramey, a former participant in the Conservation Fire Camp program, faced significant hardships finding a job after his release in 2014. Ramey, who discovered a passion for firefighting while incarcerated, eventually co-founded the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a nonprofit that helps formerly incarcerated individuals secure employment in forestry and wildfire management. His program has a recidivism rate of just 10%, compared to the state average of 41.9% (CDCR, 2024).
Conclusion
While California’s incarcerated firefighting program offers both benefits to the community and opportunities for individuals involved, it also highlights deep concerns regarding exploitation and the ethical implications of using prison labor in hazardous environments. Improvements are needed to address these workers' safety risks, inadequate pay, and lack of post-release employment opportunities. Without systemic change, the line between rehabilitation and exploitation will remain dangerously blurred.
References
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (2024, February 13). CDCR recidivism report finds recidivism rates drop 2%. Retrieved from https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/2024/02/13/cdcr-recidivism-report-finds- recidivism-rates-drop-2/
NPR. (2025, January 10). Inmate firefighters help fight California’s historic wildfires. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/01/10/nx-s1- 5254122/inmate-firefighters-california-wildfires
The Nature Conservancy. (2024). Why incarcerated firefighters are battling LA wildfires. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/7206260/why-incarcerated- firefighters-are-battling-la-wildfires/
Time. (2018). Inmate firefighters: Injuries, death, and the struggle for fair treatment. Retrieved from https://time.com/5886291/california-firefighter- prison-labor/
Time. (2025). California firefighter prison labor: An investigation into the dangers and ethical questions. Retrieved from https://time.com/5457637/inmate- firefighters-injuries-death/
Forestry Fire Recruitment Program. (2025). What we do. Retrieved from https://www.forestryfirerp.org/what-we-do
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