Washington Prisoners Prep for Firefighting Career After Release
A new program is preparing some Washington state prisoners to become wildland firefighters after release. Though launched only recently, ARC 20 traces its roots to “honor camps” that state lawmakers established in 1939 to clear and maintain land owned by the state or counties.
ARC 20, based in Spokane, recruits prisoners from existing firefighting prison camps, training them to form an “elite” force preventing and combating forest fires. The initiative is a collaboration between the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Corrections (DOC), focused on providing prisoners with training for civilian firefighting jobs post-release. To ensure that graduates can succeed, the program emphasizes crucial teamwork, communication and accountability.
Unlike other state prison firefighting crews, Washington’s ARC 20 transitions prisoners from full confinement to a reentry center, where they continue skill-building while preparing for life after prison. Notably, the pay scale in ARC 20 runs up to $60,000 annually, far above the $11,000 average for regular camp crew members. Participants live at the Brownstone Reentry Center in Spokane, enjoying freedoms such as having a cellphone and wearing civilian clothes.
ARC 20’s success is evident, with four members securing jobs with the state firefighting agency. Kenyatta Bridges, 34, joined ARC 20 while serving a 10-year sentence for manslaughter. After receiving extensive training in fire containment, prescribed burns and handling dangerous equipment, she was released from DOC in June 2024 and now works as a leader on Arcadia Engine 7405 crew in one of Washington’s most wildfire-prone areas.
The program fights recidivism while addressing critical firefighting needs in region. It also has gotten publicity from Fire Country, a drama series broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ whose California firefighting crew includes prisoners.
Sources: Reuters, The Direct, US Magazine
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login