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A Burning Question: Sparking Federal Protection Of Inmate Firefighters Through California’S Conservation Camp Program, Zachary T. Remijas

Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary

The mounting demand for inmate firefighters in response to increased disaster relief has made such individuals an indispensable resource to the State of California. As a result, state agencies in charge of administering inmate firefighters’ services must give renewed attention to expanding efforts to protect the inmates’ livelihood both before and after a participating inmate’s release. This Comment provides an overview of California inmates undertaking prison labor as volunteer firefighters under the Conservation Camp Program. The Comment further critiques the nonreciprocal approach taken towards inmate firefighting resources, while advocating for a more intentional rehabilitationist approach that implores the California Department …