this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2024
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US Authoritarianism
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In California they have prisoners fight the wildfires. I find it sickening, but it's a popular program. I wonder if that's where this result comes from. The wildfires get worse and worse and they need bodies to sacrifice. Depressing.
My thoughts as well.
It's the wildfires. They don't want to pay more in taxes to hire more firefighters, at least that's what makes sense to me.
It's still an abominably shitty thing and, IMHO, a human rights violation too.
It's at least a volunteer program, they aren't directly forcing people to fight the fires. A lot of people, the prisoners included, consider it a way of repaying their debt to society. I'm pretty sure I don't agree with a great deal of the situation in which it exists, but I do think that if I was in prison, being able to to something, feel like I still matter, would be some comfort.
I assure you that's not what it feels like.
That must be nice for you
california is like richer than most countries in the world. dnc and its upper class base is more rotten that i had thought. no wonder 15 million democrats don’t want to vote for these cronies.
That's a volunteer program. This is inside the prison work and comes with physical and mental punishment if you refuse.
Not exactly "voluntary" in a meaningful way if the alternative is in-prison work or punishment.
That is true yes. It's also worth extra "good time" which can get you released from the system earlier.
Edit - I be clear I mean, "put your life in danger to escape this hellhole faster" is a whole other level of coercion.
"Not coercion, volunteers"
Ya, volunteer or get sent to solitary. Good choice there.
Oh no you seem to think I'm defending this so let's break this down.
You can circumvent the normal prison labor system by volunteering to fight fires. This comes with perks and good time. Or you can exist in the normal prison labor system making products under threat of mental or physical abuse.
So joining the firefighters is also extremely coercive because it requires you to risk your life for your freedom, privileges, and keeping you away from the abusive labor system the other prisoners exist in.
None of this is good.