Inmate Firefighers and Equal Rights

• Inmate firefighters make up 1/3 of the firefighter community and are disproportionately affected due to the working conditions, lower wages and limited access to health care that they receive.

• During wildfire season inmate firefighters have poor living conditions, which include limited access to clean running water, inadequate food supply and improper sleeping conditions (Stenvick, 2020).

• Paid $2-$10 on average depending on the size of the wildfire.

• Health care costs are covered directly from the inmate firefighter.

• Health care access is limited therefore, making inmate firefighters receive health care services from outside sources.(Singh, 2020)

• Unfortunately, inmate firefighters receive little to no praise from the community. For example, during one of the biggest wildfires in Northern California, a community member was thankful that a “30-man crew” saved her home during a wildfire. However once she found out that the “ 30-man crew” were inmate firefighters she stated “Come to find out that this 30-man crew were all inmates. If that were the case, I wouldn’t want them out here" (Vanderpyl, 2021).

• Due to inmates' criminal history they are not eligible to be hired by local fire departments after release.

• Unfortunately, if an inmate is killed during a wildfire, they do not have any death benefits to cover the costs. This leaves their families (if they have families) with the burden of covering the funeral expenses (Stenvick, 2020).

Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC)

Mission statement: “To provide effective, skilled inmate labor, for regional forest and fire protection. Promotes public safety by holding inmates accountable and reduces recidivism by modeling pro-social behavior and teaching work skills that help inmates be productive citizens upon release" (Oregon Department of Forestry, 2019).

South Fork Camp (founded in 1951):

• The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) developed South Fork Camp in order for inmates to serve as firefighters.

• South Fork Camp is the oldest work camp in the Pacific Northwest and is funded by two agencies.

• Job duties performed by inmates include:

• Forest management for 11 counties in NW Oregon

• Support with natural disaster efforts

• Assist in wildfires management statewide (Oregon Department of Forestry, 2019)

California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR)

Mission statement: "To support state, local and federal government agencies as they respond to emergencies such as fire, floods, and other natural or man-made disaster" (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation [CDCR], 2022).

Conservation (Fire) Camps:

• Founded in 1915 and was initiated by CDCR to provide able-bodied inmates to support during World War II

• Inmates were needed to occupy “temporary camps” to get adjusted with firefighter training and work

• Responsibilities of inmate firefighters include:

• Wildfire protection

• Clearing brush and fallen trees

• Maintaining parks

• Sandbagging

• Flood protections

• Reforestation (CDCR, 2022)