That is the definition of exploitation: The incarcerated firefighters have no better option, so they are compelled to take wages and conditions that nobody else would consider taking (evidence: the governemnt can't find people to freely take those wages and conditions).
There's no reason these people shouldn't be paid as much as others doing the same work. Californians complain about the fire response (with some propaganda thrown in, as is the case for everything these days), but are so cheap, so unwilling to pay, they they have to take people out of prisons and exploit them - for firefighting! This isn't cleaning highways; the consequences are overwhelming.
If Calinfornians won't pay for it, it's really their own problem.
'Exploitation' doesn't mean people are physically or legally compelled. It means you offer vulnerable people a bad but 'voluntary' option, exploiting their vulnerability to not offer them a legitimate option.
In this case, the state saves money because of the incarcerated people's vulnerability. That vulnerability is the only reason the state gets to pay those very low wages.
That is the definition of exploitation: The incarcerated firefighters have no better option, so they are compelled to take wages and conditions that nobody else would consider taking (evidence: the governemnt can't find people to freely take those wages and conditions).
There's no reason these people shouldn't be paid as much as others doing the same work. Californians complain about the fire response (with some propaganda thrown in, as is the case for everything these days), but are so cheap, so unwilling to pay, they they have to take people out of prisons and exploit them - for firefighting! This isn't cleaning highways; the consequences are overwhelming.
If Calinfornians won't pay for it, it's really their own problem.
Anyone who reads this I suggest watching Fire Country. It’s literally about this. Its a great show.
"The firefighters earn $5.80-$10.24 per day plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies"
"The CDCR crews have at times accounted for as much as 30% of the wildfire force in the state."
I'd rather do that than sit in a cell.
That's the definition of exploitation.
Or you could call it repaying a debt to society.
It’s not though. They are doing it voluntarily.
'Exploitation' doesn't mean people are physically or legally compelled. It means you offer vulnerable people a bad but 'voluntary' option, exploiting their vulnerability to not offer them a legitimate option.
In this case, the state saves money because of the incarcerated people's vulnerability. That vulnerability is the only reason the state gets to pay those very low wages.