We’ve all probably heard about the fire crews made-up of inmates, especially with the fires currently raging in LA. Inmates are incentivized to join these programs to receive reduced sentences, job-training, and a very small wage.
The firefighters earn $5.80-$10.24 per day plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies, according to CDCR. They make up 30% of the wildfire workforce.
However, these inmates often find it difficult to get a firefighter job upon release, largely because they cannot pursue an EMT certification.
Nearly all fire departments in California require EMT certification for new firefighter hires, including LAFD. And a criminal record is a barrier to receiving this license:
EMT certification can be denied or revoked if the individual:
(1) Has committed any sexually related offense specified under Section 290 of the Penal Code.
(2) Has been convicted of murder, attempted murder, or murder for hire.
(3) Has been convicted of two (2) or more felonies.
(4) Is on parole or probation for any felony.
(5) Has been convicted and released from incarceration for said offense during the preceding fifteen (15)
years for the crime of manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.
(6) Has been convicted and released from incarceration for said offense during the preceding ten (10) years
for any offense punishable as a felony.
(7) Has been convicted of two (2) or more misdemeanors within the preceding five (5) years for any offense
relating to the use, sale, possession, or transportation of narcotics or addictive or dangerous drugs.
(8) Has been convicted of two (2) or more misdemeanors within the preceding five (5) years for any offense
relating to force, threat, violence, or intimidation.
(9) Has been convicted within the preceding five (5) years of any theft related misdemeanor.
California legislators tried to remedy this in 2020 when they passed AB2147. “This law allows former non-violent incarcerated people who participated in a CDCR conservation camp to have their records expunged. As a result, barriers are removed so they can seek jobs as firefighters in the community.”
However, it has proved largely unsuccessful. “[T]he law leaves the actual ‘expungement’ of the petitioner in the hands of judicial discretion – thereby making the whole process of AB 2147 an uncertain one that does not guarantee expungement.”
UCLA Law Review has a thorough examination of the law, its effectiveness, and recommendations for improvement.
Not to mention, there are obvious ethical concerns about the use of an incarcerated labor force, especially in dangerous positions and at sub-minimum wages.
What do you think?
- Eliminate all incarcerated workforces.
- Expand job-training/incentive programs like this to other industries, and pay them the legal minimum wage.
- Amend AB 2147 to make the expungement of convictions automatic or simpler.
- Amend the EMS Authority restrictions to loosen restrictions on those with a criminal record to gain an EMT license.
I thought this seemed like an interesting discussion for this sub with its interest in occupational licensing reform, condemnation of private prisons and over-incarceration, and connecting labor supply with labor demands.
Posted by SimplyJared