For weeks, the Los Angeles area has been battling enormous fires that have caused billions of dollars in damage while thousands of residents evacuate. Along with a large force of professional firefighters, California prison laborers are also taking on the blazes for a chance to shave some time off their sentences. They also receive some compensation, often just a couple dollars an hour. This short video shows incarcerated individuals at work actively fighting fires as well as performing routine maintenance that often goes overlooked.
Questions:
- Do you think imprisoned firefighters should receive more money for their labor? Why or why not?
- Why does California depend on imprisoned labor to fight fires?