CA considers using violent inmates to fight fires

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Some California officials are considering using offenders convicted of violent crimes to help battle wildfires.

The state has been using non-violent inmates to help fight blazes, but its largest and oldest inmate firefighting unit has 800 fewer members than in previous years.

Officials are proposing using inmates who have a violent past, but have had their security classification level reduced because of good behavior.