Kim Kardashian has called for increased recognition and better compensation for incarcerated individuals fighting the Los Angeles wildfires, urging California’s Governor Gavin Newsom to pay them more for their efforts. The reality star took to her Instagram Story to highlight the injustice faced by inmates who are working long, dangerous hours at the frontlines of the fires for just $1 per hour, which is far below what their work is worth, especially given the high risk involved.
Kardashian specifically referenced the Ventura Training Center, which helps train formerly incarcerated individuals to become firefighters and assists with reducing their past felony convictions, potentially enabling them to secure well-paying jobs in the future. She pointed out that, under current policies, inmates in California can only earn up to $26.90 for a 24-hour emergency shift, making their $1-per-hour pay look even more disproportionate.
The real benefit for these inmates comes from the possibility of sentence reductions: one day of fighting fires can reduce their sentences by two days. As of now, around 1,000 inmates are battling the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, which have burned over 40,000 acres and claimed at least 16 lives, though there are no reports of inmate fatalities related to the fires.
Kim Kardashian’s advocacy ties into her ongoing push for criminal justice reform, highlighting the plight of those incarcerated while working in high-risk jobs. Meanwhile, her sister, Khloé Kardashian, has been vocal about the response of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to the fires, sparking some controversy on social media. Despite the family’s differing views on other matters, Kim continues to advocate for greater government action to improve the situation for the inmate firefighters.
