California relies heavily on incarcerated firefighters to protect life and property, but pays them a pittance. Recently, a major grassroots and legislative push to improve working conditions for incarcerated firefighters enjoyed some success. On October 13, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 247 into law , raising their base pay and doubling the amount by which they can reduce their sentences.

The bill , which does not bump wages up far enough, was part of a package of seven bills dubbed “Firefighting to Freedom,” and one of five signed into law. In spite of falling short, their passage was a hard-won battle on behalf of a demographic often left behind.

The deadly fires in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades in early 2025 underscored just how significantly California’s statewide fire departm

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