By Eris Lowdermilk
California Governor Gavin Newson has signed a bill that permits inmates who previously had careers on the frontlines to return after they have served their sentences. Assembly Bill 2147 will establish a profession for inmates.
The bill was signed on Friday, Sept 11, and was a response to the devastating wildfires that have been encompassing part of the west coast of the United States. California has an inmate firefighter program in which Newsom has rejuvenated with the new bill.
Inmates serving in the CAL FIRE program get paid one dollar per hour in the filed, and two dollars when they are not on duty. Each day inmates spend fighting fires, time is shed from their sentences.
The inmates who are excluded are those who are serving sentences from murder, kidnapping, rape, vulgar acts on a child, felonies punishable by death, sex offense requiring registration, and arson that would be ineligible under the law.
Galloway, Kayla. (2020, September 11). Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill to allow inmate firefighters to work professionally after serving prison time. ABC 7. https://abc7.com/inmate-firefighters-california-incarcerated-cdcr-gavin-newsom/6419175/
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