Inmate Firefighters: Labor and Injustice

This chapter explores the use of inmate firefighters in California, highlighting the social injustices within the criminal justice system that prevent them from gaining employment after release. It reflects on the physical and mental toll of their work, the challenges former inmates face in obtaining necessary certifications, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding prison labor. The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for fair wages and better treatment of incarcerated individuals involved in high-risk firefighting efforts.