Trained ex-cons can’t fight fires

“Dangling incentives before men and women behind bars to risk their lives is problematic, of course. But even more disheartening is that an incarcerated person’s firefighting experience will have precisely zero utility once they’re released. That’s because California law bars those with a criminal record from becoming licensed emergency responders.

California is hardly the only state that bars the formerly incarcerated from many good jobs. According to an American Bar Association inventory, states have imposed at least 27,254 licensing restrictions on those with a criminal record.

Nearly one in three adults has a record in the criminal justice system. And more than 25 percent of workers need a state license to practice their occupations. While prisons introduce training programs in professions ranging from cosmetology to carpentry to training service dogs, many of those people won’t be able to find jobs in their chosen professions after release.

These so-called “blanket bans” on formerly incarcerated people are especially counterproductive because they bar them from deploying the expertise they accumulate while incarcerated. Gainful employment is one of the best tools to fight recidivism, and barring the formerly incarcerated from many jobs makes achieving productive employment more difficult.”

http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/prison-inmates-fighting-californias-wildfires-cant-do-it-once-theyre-released

Felons cannot vote either which is one way that The Man keeps The People Down

Licensing is when goobermint arbitrarily takes away the people’s rights to choose perfectly natural and reasonable activities, then sells them back with strings attached.

I would hope that improvements can be made without demanding that society and its institutions be overthrown, because that way of doing it will find less support.

Originally posted by @js357
“Dangling incentives before men and women behind bars to risk their lives is problematic, of course. But even more disheartening is that an incarcerated person’s firefighting experience will have precisely zero utility once they’re released. That’s because California law bars those with a criminal record from becoming licensed emergency responders.

Califor ...[text shortened]... nancenter.org/blog/prison-inmates-fighting-californias-wildfires-cant-do-it-once-theyre-released

Originally posted by @suzianne
As long as the private prison corporations get more money per prisoner, then laws will be made to increase the number of incarcerated. Remove the profit mandate and these prisons will become more fair to those inside, as well as make actual rehabilitation more likely.

If only we can grant voting rights to illegal aliens and incarcerated drug dealers, sex traffickers, rapists, thieves and murderers... the democrat party will have a permanent lock on all future elections.

Originally posted by @suzianne
As long as the private prison corporations get more money per prisoner, then laws will be made to increase the number of incarcerated. Remove the profit mandate and these prisons will become more fair to those inside, as well as make actual rehabilitation more likely.

Originally posted by @mott-the-hoople
why should a prison "be fair" to those inside?

Many ‘criminals’ in prison didn’t do anything more than use some drugs, make a bad choice or steal food.

Prison is society’s way of protecting itself. We should treat everyone with respect.

If you’re a pyromaniac (you shouldn’t be in prison for starter, but ah well), then it’s logical you can’t join the fire service.
If you were locked up for stealing cars when you were 18... what the hell’s that got to do with fighting fires?

Originally posted by @shavixmir
Many ‘criminals’ in prison didn’t do anything more than use some drugs, make a bad choice or steal food.

Prison is society’s way of protecting itself. We should treat everyone with respect.

If you’re a pyromaniac (you shouldn’t be in prison for starter, but ah well), then it’s logical you can’t join the fire service.
If you were locked up for stealing cars when you were 18... what the hell’s that got to do with fighting fires?

Originally posted by @js357
I being "fair" is a little too squishy and in need of justification for you, Maybe treating the inmates in accordance with applicable law will do, as a standard of care. Is that in need of justification?

Originally posted by @lundos
You have to be 'tough on crime' to be a good republican.

Nearly one in three adults has a record in the criminal justice system. And more than 25 percent of workers need a state license to practice their occupations. While prisons introduce training programs in professions ranging from cosmetology to carpentry to training service dogs, many of those people won’t be able to find jobs in their chosen professions after release.

Originally posted by @mott-the-hoople
I suppose you have a case of an inmate not being treated according to law, or just what is your point?