This Chef Is Feeding California’s Incarcerated Firefighters Sam Lewis of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition discusses how to transform the future for incarcerated people fighting fires in California.

Sam Lewis, the executive director of @antirecidivism.bsky.social‬, spoke with Contributing Writer @nadrakn.bsky.social‬ about why good meals, better pay, and post-release support could transform the future for incarcerated firefighters—and why society should see their humanity.

For those out protesting, exercise caution and know your rights: aclusocal.co/protest-rights

Earlier this year, over 1,000 incarcerated firefighters contributed significantly to combating wildfires in Southern California, despite making between $5-$10 per day and often being barred from future firefighting careers due to their criminal record.

Inmate firefighters battled LA’s wildfire; a lawmaker may help launch their careers Inmate firefighters say their criminal records make it hard to get a regular firefighting job once they're out. A new bill can smooth the way.

"I started the process and quickly found out that I had to commit a significant amount of time and navigate complex law procedures. I still do not have my record expunged" - ARC member Robert Wynne and CAL Fire Captain.

calmatters.org/justice/2025...

Inmate firefighters battled LA’s wildfire; a lawmaker may help launch their careers Inmate firefighters say their criminal records make it hard to get a regular firefighting job once they're out. A new bill can smooth the way.

calmatters.org/justice/2025...

Life after California's death row: What happens when condemned inmates get a second chance Then-new Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on executions and ordered death row dismantled. Years later, inmates say they got a bittersweet new lease on life.

My final story for the LAT ⬇️

Life after California’s death row: what happens when condemned inmates get a second chance

www.latimes.com/california/s...

LA County firefighter training program welcomes first all-female cadet cohort The program trains formerly incarcerated Angelenos for firefighting jobs.

A Los Angeles County program that trains formerly incarcerated people for firefighting careers recently launched its first all-female cohort.
laist.com/news/crimina...

Jones’ work stands as a powerful testament to the humanity of those inside. His art and words remind us that everyone is worthy of redemption.

“I want to be remembered, first of all, as a human being who made mistakes,” Jones says.

www.latimes.com/california/s...

Thank you!

Nick Martino reading amazing poems and shouting out to @antirecidivism.bsky.social and the incarcerated workers who helped fight the LA fires.

AB 247 passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee!

This bill will raise wages for incarcerated handcrew members and fairly compensate these heroes!

We thank @ib2real.bsky.social for leading this historic bill!

Next stop: CA Assembly Appropriations Committee!

California introduces new bill to pay incarcerated firefighters the same wage as non-incarcerated firefighters 30% of California’s firefighters are incarcerated, and many make as little as $6 a day.

“They’re putting their lives on the line too. Why wouldn’t they be paid for something that they’re providing that’s needed, desperately needing in the state of California?"

therealnews.com/california-i...

A 'brush with catastrophe': Close call with Hughes fire stirs concerns about jail safety Flames from the Hughes fire came within a mile of the Castaic jails before firefighters pushed them back. Inmate advocates are still haunted by the what-ifs.

Flames from the Hughes fire came within a mile of the Castaic jails before firefighters pushed them back. Inmate advocates are still haunted by the what-ifs.

What Happened When America Emptied Its Youth Prisons Lessons from a radical 20-year experiment and a quiet triumph of public policy.

Did you know youth incarceration has fallen by 58% since 2000? Youth prisons have closed nationwide as fewer young people have been arrested.

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/m...

Trump’s New Attorney General Directs Prosecutors to Pursue Harshest Sentences Possible In memos released this week, Trump’s new attorney general rolled back Biden-era reforms and called for harsher sentences and more executions.

Trump's new attorney general, Pam Bondi, released a flurry of memos on her first day of office. @elizabethweill.bsky.social and @ethanscorey.bsky.social break down some of the most significant takeaways here: theappeal.org/pam-bondi-at...

Buy a shirt to support incarcerated firefighters and put #peoplefirst Despite low pay and deadly conditions, incarcerated people are serving as firefighters on the frontlines of LA’s wildfire crisis and working tirelessly to keep the public safe. Show your support by pu...

Join us in supporting the nearly 1000 incarcerated firefighters serving on the frontlines to contain the #LAfires by buying a limited edition #PeopleFirst shirt. All proceeds will be donated to @antirecidivism.bsky.social's incarcerated firefighter fund. peoplefirststore.fwd.us

Living on Earth: Life As An Incarcerated Firefighter Around a thousand of the firefighters who battled blazes around southern California in January 2025 were incarcerated. They do essentially the same work as other firefighters but are paid as little as...

Life As An Incarcerated Firefighter

www.loe.org/shows/segmen...

California’s Incarcerated Firefighters: Heroes on the Frontlines, Building Futures Beyond the Flames - | BET Phoenix Awards In an interview with Sam Lewis of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition and William, a program participant, we explore how California’s wildfire program provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing op...

California’s Incarcerated Firefighters: Heroes on the Frontlines, Building Futures Beyond the Flames

www.bet.com/phoenix-awar...

Judge blocks Trump’s executive order on transgender prisoners A small number of transgender women in women’s facilities cannot be transferred to men’s prisons, the judge ruled.

A federal judge tonight blocked Donald Trump’s executive order transferring transgender women in federal prisons into men’s facilities. www.politico.com/news/2025/02...

We're thrilled to be co-sponsoring #SB245 and increasing 2nd chance opportunities for our brave fire crews.

We are grateful to Senator Reyes for championing this important legislation. Stay tuned for updates!

Virginia Democrats Advance a Measure to End Lifetime Voting Ban. Now It Gets Complicated. The measure’s fate likely hinges on this fall’s legislative races: Lawmakers will need to pass it again next year. In the meantime, Glenn Youngkin’s harsh restrictions remain in place.

NEW: Virginia is currently the only state to strip people of their voting rights *FOR LIFE* over *any* felony.

Democrats just advanced a constitutional amendment that would end this lifetime ban.

@burness.bsky.social reports on their move, & on what's next:
boltsmag.org/virginia-adv...

How to Keep Tabs on ICE Agents Who May Be Surveilling Your Neighborhood Here’s a step-by-step guide.

"Sometimes reliable information is all that’s needed to help immigrants avoid ICE agents, and anyone can help reduce the unnecessary panic that arrest announcements can generate."

This op-ed explains how to start an ICE Watch neighborhood program in your community. ⤵️

BLINK-182 Announces Hollywood Palladium Performance To Benefit Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts Multi-platinum, award-winning band BLINK-182 — Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker — has announced a one-night-only benefit show at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California on February ...

BLINK-182 Announces Hollywood Palladium Performance To Benefit Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts

URGENT: At least 4,700 people are incarcerated in four north county jails within the Hughes Fire evacuation warning zone.

Thank you so much, @paulscheer.com ! This is amazing!

LA: This Thursday. This killer cast is raising money for 3 amazing organizations- @antirecidivism.bsky.social
@cielorg.bsky.social
And Little Red Hen Coffee Shop in Altadena. Get Tickets

www.seetickets.us/event/dinosa...

Joe Biden Frees Leonard Peltier The ailing Native American rights activist has been in prison for nearly 50 years after the U.S. government lied to put him there.

With literally minutes left in his presidency, Joe Biden has granted clemency to Leonard Peltier

Join us in supporting the nearly 1000 incarcerated firefighters serving on the frontlines to contain the #LAfires by buying a limited edition #PeopleFirst shirt. All proceeds will be donated to @antirecidivism.bsky.social incarcerated firefighter fund. peoplefirststore.fwd.us

Thank you so much!

Too often, the "public safety" conversation dehumanizes people & misunderstands real safety. Join us to support the incarcerated firefighters who have been risking their lives to protect #LAStrong. Proceeds go to @antirecidivism.bsky.social firefighters fund peoplefirststore.fwd.us #PeopleFirst