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Honoring Inmate Firefighters from California
 The
California State Assembly has recently honored inmate firefighters for
their efforts in fighting fires for the year 2003— one of the worst
fire sieges in California history.
Assemblyman Mark Leno of San Francisco authored Resolution 191, called
the "Department of Corrections Firefighters" and officially
honors California inmate firefighters for their efforts in the 2003 fire
season.
Representatives from the California Department of Corrections and the
California Department of Forestry were present to receive the awards.
More than 2,750 inmate firefighters, housed at one of 38 conservation
camps in California, fought side-by-side with other firefighters during
the fire season of 2003. Department of Corrections provides and supervises
these inmates to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. These
inmates worked a grueling 1.7 million hours on hundreds of fires, saving
California taxpayers several million dollars on firefighting costs and
potential loss of lives.
The Handling Drugs Course
"What a wonderful way of life. Drugs can and will
destroy any chance of success or happiness to anybody's life. I always
thought them to be the cure to all my problems — my sadness, my
weakness, my failures, my pain. The drugs kept my eyes closed to the
awful effects of what they caused in me.
"I now have been drug-free for some time. I can't
say for sure how many days, but each and every one is a blessing to
me along The Way to Happiness. The road is long and dusty, but I must
remain on the path and not alter my course. It is goodness that I seek.
"I now realize that drugs have been the problem
to cause the problems that have hindered my stride on the road. Without
them my journey will be straight and true. This alone strengthens my
pride and builds my self esteem.
Thank you Criminon, your help I shall not forget."
— D. S., San Juan County Jail, Utah
The Way to Happiness Course
"I am a firm believer that each and every one of
us has a light source within us and it is up to us how bright it shines.
This course has helped me in locating my light source, as well as given
me a platform on which to emit this light in a positive way. I've been
a wanderer of my own life in searching for what was missing. It is difficult
to have self awareness when you are in doubt in many areas. It is true
that the destination isn't as important as the journey. In my journey
I am accompanied by Criminon. I've picked up the pieces that lay scattered
within and began constructing the puzzle that has been my life, incorporating
virtues like temperance, morality and tenacity— for they are safeguards
that are uncompromising and unyielding.
"There is an old proverb that reads, "build
a better world," says God. And we often ask him how? But God in
all of His wisdom says, "Just build a better you." The course
at Criminon is the supplies and materials that one needs to "build
a better you." I know because the better me has been under construction
and since life is a learning process, I will be under construction from
this day forth.
"Thank you Criminon!"
— J. C., California State Prison, Susanville
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