By Miriam Raftery

Image: Inmate firefighter; cc via Bing

October 14, 2025 (Sacramento) – They risk their lives to battle wildfires. Yet California’s inmate firefighters are currently paid just $1 to $10 for an entire day’s work, plus $1 an hour during active duty.  A bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom will raise the rate to $7.25 an hour (the federal minimum wage) during active duty.