Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@kimkardashian / DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Crime, US News, Kim Kardashian, Celebrity, Environment, World News
Mia Williams
Topics: Crime, US News, Kim Kardashian, Celebrity, Environment, World News
Kim Kardashian has made a request following the temporary release of almost 1,000 prison inmates who are set to battle the LA wildfires.
The reality star, who previously attended law school in similarity to her late father Robert Kardashian, has spoken out in support of hundreds of prisoners who are helping to tackle the Los Angeles wildfires.
California is is one of 14 US states that uses inmates to help fight fires, and has seen 14,000 emergency responders working to bring the destruction to a halt.
Advert
Almost 1,000 southern California prisoners have joined the battle, and their bravery has been noted by the 44-year-old influencer.
Taking to Instagram, she pleaded with Governor Gavin Newsom to increase their pay.
She wrote: "On all 5 fires in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of incarcerated firefighters, risking their lives to save us. They are on the Palisades fire and Eaton fire in Pasadena working 24 hour shifts."
The Kardashian sister added: "The incarcerated firefighters have been paid $1/hour to risk their lives, and this pay has been the same since 1984.
"It has never been raised with inflation. It’s never been raised when fires got worse and many died."
However, the mum-of-four explained: "This year there was an agreement to raise the incarcerated firefighters pay to $5/hour, but it got shot down last minute."
She personally called on the politician to do 'what no Governor has done in 4 decades'.
Kim demanded: "Raise the incarcerated firefighter pay to a rate that honours a human being risking their life to save our lives and homes," before stating that she sees them as 'heroes'.
According to the BBC, 939 incarcerated men and women are helping fight the LA fires, wearing their orange prison boiler suits.
Their efforts have been noticed by senior officials, with Jeff Macomber - secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation - saying in a statement last week: "Wildfires are a constant and formidable challenge for California, and CDCR conservation fire camps remain dedicated to supporting the state’s response.
"The work of our incarcerated firefighters and staff is an essential part of this effort, and their commitment to protecting lives and property during these emergencies cannot be overstated."
However, there are exceptions as to who can and cannot join the fight.
Inmates with certain convictions - including sex offences or arson - are disqualified from participation.
The Los Angeles Times reports that inmates are currently believed to make up approximately 30 percent of the state’s firefighting force. It's also important to note that prisoners are not forced to take part, they do so of their own accord.