Inmate Fire Fighting Crews

Advice From the Inside Out

Inmates have a better chance of preventing recidivism by participating in programs that set them up with future careers once they leave custody. One program that provides this type of training is the Cal Fire Inmate Fire Fighting Crews in California. But the pathway to getting an actual job with Cal Fire as a felon can be quite difficult. Recent laws passed by the Governor have helped to make it easier for these inmates to retain employment at Cal Fire once they are out of custody, but much more needs to happen to ensure a fair and equitable process. During these unprecedented times with California wildfires, inmate firefighter crews are an essential part of the battle. And yet, with the COVID pandemic, the numbers of inmate firefighting crews are dwindling – why? We have a conversation with Donald Fregulia, a District Fire Management Officer for the USDA Forest Service to ask his personal opinions on all these questions and more on Advice from the Inside Out. Special thanks to our graphic artist, Tess Buckley.
www.kidsincommon.org
www.fire.ca.gov
www.theguardian.com/ - Governor Pardons Formerly Incarcerated Firefighters May 28,2021
www.abc10.com - California's inmate firefighters: 9 things to know
www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov – AB2147
www.cdcr.ca.gov/conservationcamps - Fire Camp Programs
www.candoclemency.com – Non-profit org to advocate rights of inmate firefighter crews. https://www.iawfonline.org/article/confessions-of-an-inmate-firefighter/
https://www.kqed.org/news/11846622/whats-next-for-incarcerated-firefighters-in-california
https://www.rand.org/blog/rand-review/2016/01/course-correction-the-case-for-correctional-education.html
https://harvardpolitics.com/recidivism-american-progress/

Support the show