Nevada Bill Boosts Opportunities for Former Inmate Firefighters

Assemblymember Jovan Jackson has introduced a significant bill aimed at improving employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated wildland firefighters in Nevada. This legislation, known as Assembly Bill 321, was signed into law by Governor Joe Lombardo in May 2023 and is set to take effect on October 1, 2023. It establishes a transitional housing program and a pathway to full-time state employment for those who have served time fighting fires and engaging in conservation work while incarcerated.

Jackson, who is recognized as Nevada’s first formerly incarcerated state legislator, shared his personal experience during discussions leading up to the bill’s introduction. “It was beneficial to me in my rehabilitation and beneficial to many other people who were incarcerated,” he stated. He emphasized that many inmates face challenges in obtaining parole due to a lack of stable housing plans, a gap the new program aims to bridge.

The bill garnered bipartisan support, with Assemblymember PK O’Neill, a Republican from Carson City, joining Jackson as a co-sponsor. O’Neill, who has four decades of law enforcement experience, highlighted the potential of the bill to reduce recidivism rates. Reflecting on his earlier career, he noted, “When I first came on, it was back in the ‘70s… just hold them and then release them when their time is served.” He expressed support for educational and rehabilitation programs, asserting that AB 321 represents “good policy.”

Transitional Housing and Job Training Initiatives

The transitional housing program outlined in Assembly Bill 321 is expected to utilize existing facilities, meaning no new construction will be necessary. State Senator John Steinbeck, a former chief of the Clark County Fire Department, commented positively on previous collaborations with crews from conservation camps, stating, “Every time that we had an interaction… they did their work, and we never had any issues that were ever reported to us.”

The Conservation Camp Program, administered by the Nevada Department of Corrections and the Division of Forestry, provides incarcerated individuals with vocational training in fire suppression, seed collection, and trail maintenance. Participants can earn the same certifications as non-incarcerated wildland firefighters, and their involvement may lead to reduced sentences. Kacey KC, the State Forester/Firewarden, highlighted the hard work and productivity of these crews, adding that their performance has been commendable over the years.

At its height around 2007, the program boasted 10 camps with approximately 1,200 inmates participating annually. However, recent trends show a decline, with only four active camps and about 250 participants currently. KC explained that reforms initiated by Assembly Bill 236 in 2019, which included lighter sentences for minor offenses, have contributed to this decrease. Inmates are now spending shorter periods in conservation camps, leading to fewer individuals receiving wildfire suppression training.

Future of Wildland Firefighting in Nevada

Despite the decline in conservation camp populations, KC reassured that the state’s wildfire fighting capacity will not be significantly affected. The Division of Forestry plans to fill many formerly inmate-staffed roles with full-time positions, which could be filled by former inmates. “We’re kind of just waiting to see where the dust settles,” KC noted, acknowledging the changing landscape of training and employment opportunities for wildland firefighters.

Jackson expressed hope that the provisions in Assembly Bill 321 would help mitigate the impact of the declining inmate population on wildfire preparedness. “They don’t have as many wildland firefighters that they had four years ago,” he said, explaining that the legislation could strengthen the wildland firefighter program by integrating more formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce.

As Nevada continues to face an increasing number of serious wildfires, the inmate training program may evolve but will remain a crucial component of the state’s firefighting strategy. The new law aims to create pathways for those who have gained valuable skills during their incarceration, ensuring that they can contribute meaningfully to their communities upon release.