CA Seeks to Use Violent Offenders to Fight Wildfires

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is considering allowing inmates with violent backgrounds to help fight wildfires.

The state has about 3,800 non-violent inmate firefighters, but that’s down by several hundred from previous years.

The department seeks to use inmates convicted of violent offenses, if their security classification level has been reduced after years of good behavior.

Concerns are being raised about public safety, although arsonists, kidnappers, sex offenders, and murderers would still be excluded.