If it becomes law, this measure would clear the path for parolees to further their careers.
In recent years, California has been hit by a series of deadly, fast-moving wildfires. These fires have caused death and destruction throughout the state — and show no signs of letting up in the future.
Inmates in California prisons and jails have helped to fight wildfires in California through its Fire Camp program. Qualified inmates attend training camps to become firefighters. If they participate, they get 2 days of credit for every 1 day of time served. This program has been incredibly valuable to the state of California, as Fire Camp participants provide approximately 3 million hours of fire response each year. There are currently more than 3,000 inmates working at fire camps across the state.
Despite receiving significant training as well as experience actually fighting fires, participants in this program are generally barred from actually becoming firefighters upon their release. According to a criminal defense lawyer in Riverside, CA, this is because you need a license to become a firefighter in California — and having a criminal record typically disqualifies you from obtaining this type of license. The end result is that people with the skills and experience to work as firefighters are denied jobs in the field. At the same time, inmates put their lives on the line to fight fires — and never get the benefit of actually having a career as a firefighter when they are released.
Assemblyperson Eloise Reyes, a Democrat from San Bernardino, hopes to change this reality. She has introduced Assembly Bill 2147 (AB 2147), which would allow individuals who participated in the Fire Camp program petition to withdraw their guilty pleas and have the court dismiss the allegations against them, as well as order an early end to probation, parole or supervised release.
Having participants’ criminal records cleared is particularly important, as other forms of doing this — such as applying for expungement — do not fully clear criminal records. Under existing law, an individual’s criminal record would still show up in a background check when applying for a state license. This often leads to Fire Camp participants being denied jobs as firefighters.
If the bill becomes law, then it would significantly change the lives of participants in the Fire Camp program — and make the program much more attractive. Importantly, participants’ criminal history would be cleared no matter what career path they wish to pursue. This opens the door to individuals turning their lives around, because a criminal history would no longer prevent them from getting a job.
If you have been charged with or convicted of a criminal offense, the Chambers Law Firm can help. We aggressively defend clients against criminal charges — and help people who have been convicted clear their criminal records. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a criminal defense lawyer in Riverside, CA, contact our firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.
