Kim Kardashian wants more recognition – and money – for some real-life heroes battling the Los Angeles wildfires… and calls on the government to pay inmates fighting the fires more.
The reality star and mogul posted an Instagram story late Saturday night with the tag “Governor.” Gavin Newsom and points out that hundreds of incarcerated people are helping in the effort — working long hours in dangerous conditions for virtually no pay.
Kim says inmates are only paid $1 an hour to fight fires… and that's not nearly enough for the people who help fight the dangerous fires.
KK specifically praises the Ventura Training Center… an organization. that trains formerly incarcerated people to become firefighters — and helps them reduce their past crimes so they can potentially get six-figure jobs as firefighters in the future.
According to The Marshall Project – a nonprofit news organization. that covers disparities in the criminal justice system – Incarcerated people in California are capped at $26.90 for a 24 hour shift during emergencies… so $1 an hour isn't far off.
The real benefit comes from the reduction in sentences for inmates who fight fires… According to the New York Times, one day of service on a fire crew means a two-day reduction in their sentence.
About 1,000 inmates are currently battling the fires in Los Angeles, which have destroyed more than 40,000 hectares of land and killed at least 16 people. There are currently no reports of deaths of inmates working as firefighters.
The Kardashian family remains vocal during these fires… because while Kim pushes for criminal justice reform, her sister Khloe Kardashian shouted the mayor of LA Karen Bass for their response to the fires – one step Social media users called her hypocritical.
Kim is staying out of this fight…but she's clearly not afraid to demand more from her government.