DNR suspending offender work crews, contracts with DOC

[Diehard0123]

The Wasington State Dept. of Natural Resources in an attempt to save money due to the states budget crisis is suspending contracts with three correctional facilities and cutting all other crew in half.  Offenders that work for DNR provide valuable services such as thinning, planting, land clean up, fire fighting, flood prevention, gate installation and other services.     
IMO this is a bad move by DNR, If they went out and hired out of work citizens to fill the need I would be in support of this move but I am concerned that these services will not be done and our state lands will be neglected. 

[robb92]

I agree they should not have dropped the program, the inmates they have fighting fires for them make about a dollar a day fighitng fires.

[firefighter4607]

Yes a very dumb move by DNR, the inmate crew I was working with a few years ago where making 80 cents an hour and they couldn't touch that money until they were out of prison. I guess they would rather pay for fire districts and private hand/engine crews which cost them thoundsands of dollars a day. I know the district rigs I have been on make any where from 100-1000 dollars per 12 hour shift. Not including the crew which will make 12-24 dollars an hour, just depends on how many classes we take.

[rasbo]

what a bunch of crap.

[oneezreiter]