Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp recently hosted state legislators who learned more about the camp’s history and mission.
“Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp is unique in that we house youths from counties. Those are our juvenile county boarders. We also host the youth offender population,” said Lt. Vanessa Melendez, camp commander. “We have approximately 20 (legislators) touring Pine Grove.”
The camp was established in 1945.
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Smart Justice California set up the tour for the legislators to help bring awareness of the benefits of the camp program.
“This program represents a way for us to bring in youth who are entering the criminal justice system and steer them in a direction of service and a career path that is meaningful for them,” said Anne Irwin, director of Smart Justice California. “The tour is important because we want the decision makers in California, policy makers and other leadership to be able to see what rehabilitation in action looks like.”
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, who represents west Los Angeles, said many people don’t understand the role incarcerated hand crews play in fighting the state’s wildfires. Aside from the public safety benefits, he pointed out the educational and job-training opportunities available at camp.
“Pine Grove is an incredible example of rehabilitation in our state. We had 1,000 people on the hand crews (during the Los Angeles fires,)” he said. “(They) played an incredible role in protecting homes and property. (They helped) us get a handle on the most devastating fires in L.A. County’s history.”
Lawmakers witness rehabilitation in action
Irwin said it’s important for people to see first-hand what the camp program is all about.
“For lawmakers to see a rehabilitative program like this, live and in action, is important. (They) are able to talk to the people whose lives are being changed by it, (the visit is) important. (It) helps them make better laws,” she explained. “When (lawmakers at) the capitol (are) making decisions about prisons, punishment, (and) rehabilitation, it’s important (they visit) places where those things happen. (They) can talk to the people who are moving through the institutions.”
According to legislators, the tour of the camp was well worth the time.
“It’s an investment into the fire camp, (in) humanity (and) in public safety. I mean, these are the folks who draw these fire lines,” said Bryan. “(When) the fire comes up to their fire line and it stops, (it’s) because these hand crews are doing that kind of lifesaving work. These are the folks we send up the mountainside that’s on fire in the middle of the night. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Video by Richard Tan, TV specialist
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
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