THAT’S NOT FAIR - KIM KARDASHIAN SAYS PRISONERS WHO FOUGHT L.A. WILDFIRES WERE PAID 'JUST A FEW DOLLARS,' AND SHE WANTS TO CHANGE THAT. (PHOTO).

 That’s Not Fair - Kim Kardashian Says Prisoners Who Fought L.A. Wildfires Were Paid 'Just a Few Dollars,' and She Wants to Change That

A renewed push for prison labor reform is gaining attention, with Kim Kardashian stepping in to support new legislation aimed at changing how incarcerated workers are paid.

The bill, reintroduced on March 19 by Cory Booker, seeks to ensure that people working while incarcerated receive at least the federal minimum wage. It also proposes limits on deductions for fees, fines, and living costs within correctional facilities, through amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Kardashian, who has increasingly focused on criminal justice reform, explained that her support is rooted in what she witnessed during the Los Angeles wildfires. 

“I personally watched incarcerated people who risked their lives battling the massive wildfires,” she said, pointing out that many were paid only a few dollars a day despite doing the same high-risk work as professional firefighters.

She also raised concerns about what happens after release. According to her, some of these individuals are later barred from applying for firefighting roles, despite their experience. “That’s not just unfair, it’s un-American,” she added.

The issue of prison labor has long drawn criticism. Data cited by Booker’s office indicates that incarcerated workers contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year, yet their pay remains far below standard wages.

Advocates have shared similar concerns. Terrance Winn, a prison reform campaigner, said he earned as little as 16 cents per hour during three decades of labor while incarcerated, highlighting the gap between contribution and compensation.

Kardashian’s involvement in reform efforts is not new. In 2023, she and her sister Khloé Kardashian visited a California state prison in Los Angeles County alongside the REFORM Alliance’s Future Shapers Advisory Council, engaging directly with inmates to better understand their experiences.