Sam Lewis, the executive director of @antirecidivism.bsky.social‬, spoke with Contributing Writer @nadrakn.bsky.social‬ about why good meals, better pay, and post-release support could transform the future for incarcerated firefighters—and why society should see their humanity.

For those out protesting, exercise caution and know your rights: aclusocal.co/protest-rights

Earlier this year, over 1,000 incarcerated firefighters contributed significantly to combating wildfires in Southern California, despite making between $5-$10 per day and often being barred from future firefighting careers due to their criminal record.

"I started the process and quickly found out that I had to commit a significant amount of time and navigate complex law procedures. I still do not have my record expunged" - ARC member Robert Wynne and CAL Fire Captain. calmatters.org/justice/2025...

My final story for the LAT ⬇️ Life after California’s death row: what happens when condemned inmates get a second chance www.latimes.com/california/s...

A Los Angeles County program that trains formerly incarcerated people for firefighting careers recently launched its first all-female cohort. laist.com/news/crimina...

Jones’ work stands as a powerful testament to the humanity of those inside. His art and words remind us that everyone is worthy of redemption. “I want to be remembered, first of all, as a human being who made mistakes,” Jones says. www.latimes.com/california/s...

Nick Martino reading amazing poems and shouting out to @antirecidivism.bsky.social and the incarcerated workers who helped fight the LA fires.

AB 247 passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee! This bill will raise wages for incarcerated handcrew members and fairly compensate these heroes! We thank @ib2real.bsky.social for leading this historic bill! Next stop: CA Assembly Appropriations Committee!

“They’re putting their lives on the line too. Why wouldn’t they be paid for something that they’re providing that’s needed, desperately needing in the state of California?" therealnews.com/california-i...

Flames from the Hughes fire came within a mile of the Castaic jails before firefighters pushed them back. Inmate advocates are still haunted by the what-ifs.

Did you know youth incarceration has fallen by 58% since 2000? Youth prisons have closed nationwide as fewer young people have been arrested. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/m...

Trump's new attorney general, Pam Bondi, released a flurry of memos on her first day of office. @elizabethweill.bsky.social and @ethanscorey.bsky.social break down some of the most significant takeaways here: theappeal.org/pam-bondi-at...

Join us in supporting the nearly 1000 incarcerated firefighters serving on the frontlines to contain the #LAfires by buying a limited edition #PeopleFirst shirt. All proceeds will be donated to @antirecidivism.bsky.social's incarcerated firefighter fund. peoplefirststore.fwd.us

Life As An Incarcerated Firefighter www.loe.org/shows/segmen...

California’s Incarcerated Firefighters: Heroes on the Frontlines, Building Futures Beyond the Flames www.bet.com/phoenix-awar...

A federal judge tonight blocked Donald Trump’s executive order transferring transgender women in federal prisons into men’s facilities. www.politico.com/news/2025/02...

We're thrilled to be co-sponsoring #SB245 and increasing 2nd chance opportunities for our brave fire crews. We are grateful to Senator Reyes for championing this important legislation. Stay tuned for updates!

NEW: Virginia is currently the only state to strip people of their voting rights *FOR LIFE* over *any* felony. Democrats just advanced a constitutional amendment that would end this lifetime ban. @burness.bsky.social reports on their move, & on what's next: boltsmag.org/virginia-adv...

"Sometimes reliable information is all that’s needed to help immigrants avoid ICE agents, and anyone can help reduce the unnecessary panic that arrest announcements can generate." This op-ed explains how to start an ICE Watch neighborhood program in your community. ⤵️

BLINK-182 Announces Hollywood Palladium Performance To Benefit Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts

URGENT: At least 4,700 people are incarcerated in four north county jails within the Hughes Fire evacuation warning zone.

LA: This Thursday. This killer cast is raising money for 3 amazing organizations- @antirecidivism.bsky.social @cielorg.bsky.social And Little Red Hen Coffee Shop in Altadena. Get Tickets www.seetickets.us/event/dinosa...

With literally minutes left in his presidency, Joe Biden has granted clemency to Leonard Peltier

Join us in supporting the nearly 1000 incarcerated firefighters serving on the frontlines to contain the #LAfires by buying a limited edition #PeopleFirst shirt. All proceeds will be donated to @antirecidivism.bsky.social incarcerated firefighter fund. peoplefirststore.fwd.us

Too often, the "public safety" conversation dehumanizes people & misunderstands real safety. Join us to support the incarcerated firefighters who have been risking their lives to protect #LAStrong. Proceeds go to @antirecidivism.bsky.social firefighters fund peoplefirststore.fwd.us #PeopleFirst

“If you’re willing to run into fire and save lives, [you] deserve the same amount of pay.” From @theguardian.com via @climatedesk.org

The @antirecidivism.bsky.social has been doing great work with young prison inmates in California, including those fighting LA's fires. I interviewed their founder a while back. He also happens to be the producer of the "Hangover" movies, but he's "the real deal," justice reform advocates told me.

BIG NEWS! We have introduced a bill in California authored by @ib2real.bsky.social to raise wages for incarcerated firefighters to match the lowest professional state firefighter rate. Stay tuned for more! t.co/aPj538LFKe

Dozens of incarcerated youth firefighters 18-25 deployed to LA frontlines in last week. These are meaningful programs, superior to the monotony + tough conditions of traditional cells, but the work is perilous + pay is meager. @antirecidivism.bsky.social is fundraising for youth on frontlines:

The @antirecidivism.bsky.social is filling the gap. Its 18-month program helps incarcerated firefighters train + get jobs. “My message to those inside is to find hope + know that there is a community outside that believes in second chances" - Eddie Herrera Jr, an ARC grad now working as firefighter

Some make $50 monthly, on call 24/7, 365 days. "Let's say I wanted a day off – you can’t, cuz you’re gonna go back to prison. Like they’re dangling shiny keys over a monkey. Then, I had gratitude for getting out of prison. Now I look back at it as involuntary servitude" -Rasheed Stanley-Lockheart

There are now 1,100+ incarcerated firefighters on the LA frontlines, including 50+ youth. The jobs are highly coveted - some of the most meaningful activities available in CA prison, but they risk their lives for $5-10 a day. Several have died in recent yrs + many struggle to get jobs after prison.

While I’m here, I would also like to boost this org. The LA fires are being fought in no small part by incarcerated firefighters for like no money at all, so please send them some

NEW DONATION LINK: antirecidivism.org/firefighterf... All funding will go directly to the firefighters immediate needs, fire camp upgrades, and a scholarship fund.

While working at a fire, disaster, or other type of incident: - shifts of 24 hours are typical, though they can be longer during the initial phases of an incident or during extreme circumstances - meals during the active shift are irregular for obvious reasons More...

- they get a sense of purpose in doing something valuable - they get to utilize hobby shops for painting, sculpture, woodworking, metalworking, clock building, etc More...

- incarcerated wildland firefighters who have lived in fire camp for some time typically parole with sizable amounts of money, relative to other prisoners in CA - they eat good and plentiful food for standard meals; they get steak and rib meals during and after incidents More...

- camps are typically in nature, and daily exercise includes hiking and running through the mountains - there are actual weights and gym equipment in fire camps, amenities that were removed from CA prisons decades ago More...

- incarcerated wildland firefighters live outside the prison walls; they do not return to a prison cell after the fire is over - they have humane picnic-style visits with family, often in an outdoor park setting with BBQ pits - there are no armed guards in fire camps More...

- they are eligible to apply to US Forest Service for firefighting jobs after release; CalFire has a training program in Ventura County just for formerly incarcerated firefighters; expungement of the criminal record should make it easier to get jobs in other jurisdictions or fields More...

- wildland firefighting is one of the few voluntary job assignments in the California prison system, voluntary in the sense that a person isn't sent to fire camp unless they ask and / or agree to it More...

- they earn additional time served credits and are paroled earlier (I went home 18 months earlier) - they are eligible to have their criminal records expunged after coming home (mine was expunged last month) More...

- incarcerated wildland firefighters receive between $5.80 and $10.24 per day when not working on emergency incidents - they receive $1 / hr when working on an incident, which is in addition to the daily stipend More...

I am a former incarcerated firefighter. I served in a California fire camp from 2009 to 2012. Misinformation is afire on the internet, so here are facts about the prison firefighter program, all in one place. A thread.

NEW DONATION LINK: antirecidivism.org/firefighterf... All funding will go directly to the firefighters immediate needs, fire camp upgrades, and a scholarship fund.

If you're now hearing about us, we're The Anti Recidivism Coalition, a nonprofit direct service and advocacy group working to end mass incarceration in California.  To learn more about our work: antirecidivism.org To donate to the firefighters: antirecidivism.org/donate/

"The Los Angeles-based Anti-Recidivism Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to ending mass incarceration, started a fundraiser on Friday to support the fire crews of California’s prisons. By Saturday morning, they’d already pulled in more than $40,000" www.latimes.com/california/s...

900 firefighters working to save cities and homes are currently incarcerated. You can donate to put money on their books through @antirecidivism.bsky.social. Put “firefighter fund” in the notes on your donation. antirecidivism.org/donate/