You probably already know that thousands of acres are burning in California right now, threatening lives and property. What you may not know is that
hundreds of California inmates are among the heroes working to extinguish the flames.
The State of California pays these inmates — who sometimes risk their lives and can work shifts as long 72-hour shifts — as little as a dollar a day for their work. Inmates who work who help firefighters directly on the fire line make just $2 a day.
California's minimum wage is $10.00 an hour, but the US Constitution and California regulations enable the state to pay inmates far less.
And while this practice may be legal — it is far from just. Critics argue that
prison labor amounts to little more than slavery by another name.
Put even more simply: these inmates are literally risking their lives for the sake of their neighbors' safety and belongings. Surely, they should be paid more than a few pennies an hour to do so.
Take a stand for fairness and justice. Add your name to this petition and urge the State of California to ensure fair compensation for inmates on the frontlines of fighting wildfires.