Female Inmates Help Put Out Fires

PlusFemale Inmates Help Put Out FiresFemale Inmates Help Put Out FiresThe Associated PressAmong the hundreds of hand crews clearing brush and preventing a wide spread wildfire from expanding, 300 inmates from state and local prisons fill the ranks. The AP's John Mone spoke to an all-women's inmate fire fighting crew. (July 8)[[NATS-- women inmates marching and yelling...ALL OUT...ALL OUT]] [[VO: Women inmates from Malibu Conservation Camp marching up a hill]]AMONG THE HOT-SHOTS AND HAND CREWS... [[NATS FULL BREAK OF DIGGING]]THERE'S A TEAM HELPING ENSURE A WILDFIRE OUTSIDE SANTA BARBARA DOESN'T SPREAD-- [[SOT]]" a lot of us are kind particular about things.." [[NATURAL SOUND UP FULL: BUZZ SAW]]CLEARING BRUSH AND MAKING THE NEXT FIRE BREAK. [[SOT]][[SUPER: Tracy Violet//Malibu Conservation Camp Inmate]]"being the only female crew on this fire it makes us work a lot harder.." [[VO]][[TRACK]]THEY'RE HERE TO SERVE-- [[SOT]][[SUPER: Shandrina Virgen//cont.]]"it's worth it...when you see people smiling...putting up signs for you. it makes you feel good." [[VO:]]SERVE THEIR TIME THAT IS...SHANDRINA VIRGEN IS ONE OF 28 WOMEN FROM THE MALIBU CONSERVATION CAMP... [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Shandrina Virgen//cont.]]"I have two counts of sales...transporting, exporting, importing stolen good and impersonating with a loaded fire arm...(yeah) i won't be doing that again." [[VO:]] [[TRACK]]AN L-A COUNTY WOMEN'S JAIL FACILITY.. [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Dierdre Alvidres//Inmate]]"all of us are non violent...really it's usually non serious felonies...paper crimes...things like that." [[VO]] [[TRACK]]DEDICATED TO WORK- [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Tara Ross//Inmate]]"we're good people. we made some mistakes. by doing all this we learn to work together and when we leave here have a brand new life." [[VO]] [[TRACK]]WHICH CAN BE BACK BREAKING. BUT THE TOUGH TASKS OFFER SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST A CHANCE TO REDUCE PRISON TIME. [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Shandrina, cont.]]"me i am gonna pursue this and make a career of it." [[VO]] [[TRACK]]PERHAPS A CHANCE AT REDEMPTION.. [[SOT]] [[SUPER; Lt. Bo Talyor//CA Dept. of Correction and Rehabilitation]]"we're teaching them a trade in here...so they can go work for Cal Fire, the US Forestry Service or may be even a fire department." [[VO]] [[TRACK]]THE OFFICIALS WHO OVERSEE THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZE THE INMATES FUNCTION TO SERVE THE PUBLIC...BUT IF THEY CHOOSE TO USE THE SKILLS THEY LEARN OUTSIDE OF THE JAIL CELL... [[SOT]]"we may not be as strong...but we work hard" [[VO]][[TRACK]]THAT WILL HELP THEM REHABILITATE AND STAY CLEAR OF THE LAW. JOHN MONE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, GOLETA CALIFORNIA.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• inmatesfire
• female
• inmates
• fires

[jonrocha1988]

As a former inmate firefighter now persuing a career in wildland fire suppresion i can tell you that this program is worth having around. I can tell every one first hand that the job they do is NO JOKE and trying to get rid of this program to help with the "Uninployment problem" in america stupid. Any one who wants to seriosly become a Wildland Fire Fighter can do it. there is now shortage on jobs in this career. The problem is that most people don't have the balls or the physical means to do it

[etrin62]

@RageMoreNow

Using inmates is common sense, its also good rehabilitation. Besides not every one can do this job. 

[wilsjane]

Why do so many people think that practical women are gay. My girlfriend worked on a volunteer service who helped put grassfires out. Within a few weeks she was able to stamp a campfire out wearing shorts. Programmes like these do a lot to help restore peoples self confidence.

[tattoorich42]

My girlfriend is in this video. she is doing well now out here in the real world, I believe that these programs are essential to rehabilitate people who want a second or third chance.

[sickasylum]

ISHI crew 2, 1st saw =) good stuff man.

[michaelgavinet]

my fire camp burnt down in the station fire....rip mt gleason

[CDFdavid]

now these crews can do some work! i love having them around on large incidents

[yoursintime]

This is hard work, they only get a dollar an hour for doing this hard dirty work, they work 12 hour shifts, day and night, they are there before most of the gov and hotshots arrive, they are put on the fire line and they have no choice in the matter. They train to do this as an alternate to sitting in a prison , not being able to do anything for the outside. Here they travel, get good food and learn something that is with them for rest of their lives. Not all are gay you homo!

[Tytandra007]

Well, guess you learn something new every day...lol

[RandomDude451]

This term is widley used throughout the fire line. Maybe they are homos, I don't know or care. We just call them Rainbow Crews.