Kim Kardashian is using her platform to advocate for increased pay for those currently incarcerated and fighting to contain the Palisades Fires.
If you’re like me, and had no idea California is employing nearly 1,000 incarcerated men and women to put out the LA fires, you’ll be shocked to also find out they get paid pennies for doing so.
Since 1915, California has relied on prison labor to respond to emergencies and disasters nationwide.
As Kim mentions via her instagram stories, these prisoners work for dollars a day while they risk their lives to save “ours”.
“I have spent the last week watching my city burning. And have seen and spoken to many firefighters who are up all night long using every ounce of their strength to save our community,” Kim posted on January 11.
Kim Calls for Reform
“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. They get paid almost nothing, risk their lives, some have died, to prove to the community that they have changed and are now first responders. I see them as heroes.”
“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.”
Kim continued her appeal by calling on Gavin Newsom to consider raising the wage to a “rate that honors a human being risking their lives.”
ICYMI: Since working toward her law degree, the Skim’s founder has taken a specialized interest in prison reform.
In fact; in April of 2024, Kim met with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss criminal justice reform.
Social media users took note of the reality star’s silence the last few days. However, Kim came back with an urgent request. Lets see if the state responds to it!
