California inmate firefighter dies after large rock hits her

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

California inmate firefighter dies after large rock hits her

By Associated Press | 11:07 a.m. Feb. 26, 2016.

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — A 22-year-old inmate firefighter died a day after a large rock struck her as she battled a brush fire in Southern California, corrections officials said Friday.

Shawna Lynn Jones was taken by helicopter to UCLA Medical Center with major head injuries Thursday after she was hit by a rock that fell about 100 feet from the hillside above her, said Inspector Randall Wright of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

She was taken off life support after her organs were donated, as her family requested, said Bill Sessa, a spokesman with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

. . .

"Her death is a tragic reminder of the danger that inmate firefighters face when they volunteer to confront fires to save homes and lives," Corrections Secretary Scott Kernan said in a statement offering condolences to her family.

Read more: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/26/inmate-firefighter-dies-of-injury-from-malibu/

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[riversedge]

1. May her family find some peace--some day

[valerief]

2. "Officials say she was behind bars for drug possession."

This part burns my ass more than anything.

[Gregorian]

3. I just donated to Bernie. I got frightened that we could be in for more if he doesn't win.

It's unbelievable. I knew this country had serious problems when a number of tv shows lasted more than a season. Cops. Why not Calculus. The problem is probably like physical therapy. Slow and painful. That's why we're doing this stupidity. We're sick. It's money sickness, power sickness. Anyways, I also get burned up by this.

There's a trail on the side of my property, and for a few months I would run it, and meet the crew of all black, except for maybe one white guy. Prisoners with chainsaws. I would stop and talk. I enjoyed them, with the "man" in the background standing by his truck with a shotgun. These guys were all in for drugs.

We're so close right now to a new beginning.

[valerief]

7. I'm almost afraid to hope for a new beginning. So much of our species are such assholes.

But, like you, I still hope.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Hideous. That made me sick, too. n/t

[JoeyT]

6. Yeah, they forgot some of the quote marks.

"Her death is a tragic reminder of the danger that inmate firefighters face when they "volunteer" to confront fires to save homes and lives," Corrections Secretary Scott Kernan said in a statement offering condolences to her family.

is how that should read.

[valerief]

8. Bingo.

[GGJohn]

9. It is voluntary, no inmate is forced or coerced into firefighting,

most do so to learn a skill or get time off their sentence.

[NutmegYankee]

11. Given the alternative, it's really not THAT voluntary.

[tabasco]

14. Unless you consider being kept in a cage "coerced."

You seem to be detached from reality.

[GGJohn]

16. And who put themselves in that position?

Reality is something that seems to escape you.

[tabasco]

18. So you agree with putting people in prison for non-violent drug offenses?

Tell me about some issues on which you hold unequivocal liberal positions:

1)
2)
3)

What exactly are you doing here besides being a contrarian?

[GGJohn]

20. No, I don't,

but the fact is that she broke the current law.

As far as the issues,
Single Payer.
Gay Rights.
Equality.

There, did I pass your fucking purity test?

[tabasco]

41. I'm sure I'll see you advocate for some of those positions here someday.

Maybe not.

[GGJohn]

43. Oh, I already have quite often and vocally,

ya know, there is that button in the upper right hand corner called search, try using it next time before making a fool of yourself.

[Trajan]

52. No ...

But I did swear off listening to such 'charming' individuals as yourself ...

It's for lent, you see ...

Gone ...

EDIT: Ah ... a Gungeonite ! - That explains a lot ... DOUBLY gone ....

[GGJohn]

53. Buh bye.

See you on the other side.

[branford]

19. These people are certainly not incarcerated because they refuse to fight fires,

they are imprisoned because they previously broke the law and were sentenced in accordance with due process, rights to appeal, and other constitutional principles.

An entirely voluntary offer to perform an important civic duty in exchange for leniency in their sentences is the very definition of just and fair.

If this choice is so coercive and unfair, would you care to cite some objections by the actual inmates concerning the offer or jurisprudence why such offers are inappropriate? As far as I understand, the complaints are mostly by do-gooder outsiders, and not the prisoners themselves.

[tabasco]

5. A victim of the "war" on some drugs

In jail for drug possession. Forced into dangerous slave labor by the state.

Of course, she "volunteered" to get out of her cage for some time.

A tragic reminder, indeed.

[GGJohn]

17. Talk about not being connected to reality.

[tabasco]

22. Yes, let's talk about reality.

Tell me why a non-violent drug offender should be in prison. I'd like to see your rationale and sources about how this strategy is effective for society.

Then please describe how a 22-year old person, being placed in prison, being offered a chance to work outdoors, is not being coerced into that situation. Would that 22-year old female normally be part of a fire crew, or did she "volunteer" just to get out of her prison cell for awhile. I'd love to read your realistic thoughts.

[GGJohn]

24. I never said she belonged in jail, you said I said that,

so get a grip on reality.

Convict firefighters are some of the best in the nation, it's all voluntary, they know the dangers, many go on to be wildland firefighters with BLM or US Forestry Service after they complete their sentence, so as far as being coerced, you have no fucking idea of what the hell you're talking about.

[tabasco]

37. Hahahahaha!

Convict firefighters, "all voluntary"

LMAO.

[GGJohn]

39. LOL,

as I said, you have no clue.

[tabasco]

46. As I say, I don't give a shit what you think.

Have a great day!

[GGJohn]

47. Have a great day and weekend yourself also. eom.

[branford]

21. The jail sentences are entirely legal, your objections notwithstanding.

A voluntary opportunity to mitigate a lawful sentence in exchange for civil service is also hardly "slave labor," legally or morally.

[tabasco]

23. It was once "legal" to own and beAt slaves.

FYI, "legal" does not make it moral or the best thing for society.

HOPE IT HELPS!

[GGJohn]

25. Get a grip on reality. eom.

[tabasco]

32. Do you believe everything that is "legal" is just?

If so, you have a long way to come before you're close to a grip.

[GGJohn]

35. I don't believe I said that, you seem to have a bad habit of twisting other's words around,

you really need to get a grip.

[tabasco]

42. What was the purpose of your previous post, then?

Please clarify.

[GGJohn]

44. Which one? eom.

[tabasco]

49. This one....

The one in which you responded to my statement:

"FYI, "legal" does not make it moral or the best thing for society."

with your statement:

"Get a grip on reality."

A fair reading of your response would be a strong disagreement with my statement.

Please clarify.

[GGJohn]

50. I was responding to your whole coercion claim,

it's bullshit, ask me how I know this.

[tabasco]

51. Of course, placing a person in a small cell

and giving them the opportunity to get out of the cell, only if they perform a dangerous job, certainly involves no possibility of coercion or injustice.

Your total and unshakable belief in the righteousness of our criminal justice system is laughable.

[branford]

34. All you're accomplishing is devaluing the period of actual slavery in the USA and its legacy.

As I inquired earlier, do you have any evidence that the actual inmates object to offer to firefight or that it is in any way illegal or improper, including briefs or positions papers from respected civil rights groups like the ACLU?

Further, I do hope you realize that certain drug offenders are hardly the only people in minimum security prisons and eligible to firefight. Similarly, requirements for inmates to work as part of their sentences is entirely constitutional, no less when it is indeed voluntary, or do you believe people sentenced to community service in lieu of incarceration are also "slaves?"

[tabasco]

45. Riiiiiight.

Absolutely no coercion at all in placing a person in prison unjustly, confining them in a cell, then giving them the opportunity to get into the outdoors to perform dangerous work. NO COERCION AT ALL. Of course, if it's legal in the U.S.A. in 2016, there is absolutely no question about its morality or justice.

GOOD POINT!

[branford]

48. Are you suggesting that every prisoner in a minimum security facility

or who is eligible for the firefighting program is "unjustly" incarcerated?

As an attorney, I would love to read the legal briefs of the various private attorneys, public defenders and civil right groups involved in those thousands of appeals.

[HassleCat]

10. Let's clear up a couple things

First, it sounds like the woman should not have been in prison. Too many people are incarcerated for non-violent offenses, and this appears to be an example.

Second, inmates are not forced or coerced or bribed into fire fighting. They do it because it's far more interesting than sitting around the prison, and it's challenging, and they get outside the prison, and they receive respect from others. I worked with "con crews" on two fires, and they were great, every bit as good as the other Type II crews on the fire. They were happy to be there, got along with everyone, and enjoyed the same status as other fire fighters. In fact con crews had a better reputation than some of the contract crews.

[Corey_Baker08]

12. I Have Never Heard Of Inmate Firefighters, Is This A California Thing?

May She Rest In Peace & I Hope Her Family Gets A Sum Of Money Out Of This Tragic Senseless Death.

[rollin74]

13. it's common throughout the west

in the area I live in, most wildfire hand crews are staffed with prison inmates.

only minimum security inmates are eligible for the forestry/conservation camps which means mostly drug offenders, people with too many DUIs, etc.

[gladium et scutum]

54. No it is not

In Washington State, the state puts together fire crews from honor inmates in the state penal system. They fight fires primarily on state lands, but have helped fight fires in the National Forests.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

15. The topic of California inmate firefighters has come up before at DU.

Google DU for "California fire inmate" and you'll see. For example:

Prisoners Who Fight Wildfires in California: An Insider’s Look

How safe is that line of work? You can search OSHA's 170 accident forms to find out. Go to Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries and try, for example, using "inmate fire" in the "Abstract" box. Hit "Submit." Here are a few:

Employee Suffers From Heat Exhaustion While Fighting Fire

Inmate Firefighter Dies After Training Hike

[onecaliberal]

26. Fuck the private prison complex and their supporters.

[GGJohn]

27. What the hell does your post have to do with this story? eom.

[onecaliberal]

28. Why do you think they lock up non violent drug offenders?

Is it rocket science to you?

[GGJohn]

29. Was this even a private prison? eom.

[onecaliberal]

30. Enjoy the dust bin.

[GGJohn]

31. Why won't you answer the question?

I know why, because you stuck your foot in your mouth before you even read the story, she was an inmate in the LA County Jail, which is not a private prison.

Enjoy your footcake.

[tabasco]

33. What the hell are you doing on this site? n/t

[GGJohn]

36. Same thing as you,

posting, debating, debunking.
And you are......................?

[branford]

38. Apparently educating you on the Constitution

and widely used incarcerative and rehabilitative practices approved by the courts and accepted across the political spectrum, including in progressive, very blue California.

[tabasco]

40. Do tell!

What constitutional points have we covered?