Inmate Class 64 completed 80 hours of work and graduated from the Inmate Fire Training Program at Pitchess Detention Center on Wednesday.
The class had nine inmates who completed the program, with one inmate being the valedictorian.
The program is 10 days long and involves a lot of physical activity.
Capt. David Hernandez, superintendent at Inmate Fire Crew Training Camp 23, said the day begins with the inmates going to the classroom, getting the expectations for the day and what the day will look like, then they grab their fire tools and then begin a two- to four-hour hike.
Once they complete the program and they are released, they can receive more training and apply for entry-level firefighting jobs with local, state and federal firefighting programs such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection — or, CAL Fire — according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“There’s so much adversity that we overcome as inmates, and landing here was such a blessing, first of all. And just completing this program, it definitely gives me a step in the right direction in society,” said the inmate who spoke and could not be identified due to the LASD’s privacy guidelines.
He added that one memory that stuck out during the process was about discipline and how he would repeat the word in his mind whenever he doubted himself.
“And what is discipline? Discipline is when your mind tells your body what to do. So that definitely, definitely was in my head a couple of times while in the heights, and when in doubt,” he said.
He added that completing the program was rewarding and he did not know what to expect when he started, but said his confidence and discipline had grown.
He said he also did not know that his body could sustain so much physical work.
“I leave with the Los Angeles County Fire Department certificate, but these, these sheriff’s programs have also allowed me to get my pesticide certificate from California. And I’m also leaving with a relationship with God. It’s amazing,” he said as his final remarks.
Deputy Enrique Nishimura, who hikes with the inmates during the program, said they do two days a week of physical training like push-ups, running and squats and undertake packed hikes.
“But we’re talking steep, steep hills, up and down. It’s not a leisurely nature walk. Like a nice one. This is a strenuous hike,” Nishimura said.
The hikes average about 3 to 4 miles and teach them multiple skills like teamwork, integrity and discipline.
Nishimura said that seeing the class from the start to the graduation was very satisfying.
“You’ll see the inmate come in with very low self-esteem. Unfortunately, a lot of them haven’t ever done something like this in their life. So, then they’re being challenged like this before, mentally, physically … ‘Oh, my gosh, I had this major challenge in front of me, and I stepped up to it, and I conquered it.’ So that feels good, honestly for us to do our part, that we’re helping that,” Nishimura said.
Capt. Cynthia Bearse, of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, said it was wonderful to see some of the inmates want to participate in the program.
“So, they have the opportunity to come to jail and either just stay in their cell, stay in their dorm, and just wait it out while they’re doing the time and incarceration. These guys volunteered for this program … and if they qualify medically and they’re charged with their charge, then they are allowed to come into the program,” Bearse said.
