(INSID CALIFORNIA POLITICS) \u2014 Despite fighting on the front lines of wildfires across the state, thousands of incarcerated California firefighters made just a few dollars a day, but that changed earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, a bipartisan state law increased their pay to the federal minimum wage, a move advocates say is long overdue.<\/p>\n
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, incarcerated firefighters earn on average between $5 to $10 a day while on the frontlines.<\/p>\n
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, who wrote the new law, said that is too low.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey deserve our gratitude. They deserve just compensation,\u201d Bryan said.<\/p>\n
Their compensation will increase to $7.25.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good for victims\u2019 compensation \u2014 the money they owe in restitution,\u201d Bryan said. \u201cIt\u2019s good for them to rebuild their lives, for their children and families. It\u2019s also just right and fair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam Cain worked as a firefighter during his 14 years behind bars.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve run into actual fires,\u201d Cain said. \u201cI\u2019ve saved people in traffic collisions, turnovers on the freeways, so it was hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Statewide, there are an estimated 1,700+ incarcerated firefighters, including more than 1,100 who were deployed to fight the devastating Southern California fires in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom saving people in daily crises to saving wildland to saving people,\u201d Cain said. \u201cTo be compensated for that in cents is unfair. I think it\u2019s time to really take a look at the wages and to increase those wages for incarcerated firefighters. It\u2019s the right thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
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