General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 30 Percent of California's Forest Firefighters Are Prisoners [View all]nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)And this is not free prison labor. It costs the state $5500 a month just for housing and food. So it is not quite free. And if you think it is free, that is part of the problem. As a society we pay a LOT MORE when people keep coming in and out of prison.
Look, you want to only punish people, feel free. I would rather see people leave prison and never, ever come back to it. And some do go out there and COMPETE with other people in the fire fighting business as well. Some of them do it very well thank you very much, after they leave prison. And even if the program was shuttered like right now... let's give you your wish. Those camps would go into deep disrepair and CAL FIRE will NOT, contrary to your views. hire more people. They are authorized where they are by the State, and there are no more monies to authorize for more seasonal or career fire fighters. So who do you think the state will activate next? oh yes NATIONAL GUARD.