Bill would create transitional housing, training and hiring pathway for incarcerated firefighters

Assembly Bill 321, sponsored by Assemblyman Jovan Jackson (Assembly District 6), would authorize the Nevada Department of Corrections, in coordination with the Nevada Division of Forestry, to establish a transitional housing and training program for eligible offenders and create a hiring program to connect formerly incarcerated firefighters to employment with the Division of Forestry.

Sponsors told the Senate Judiciary Committee the measure aims to match workforce needs — particularly wildfire response — with a trained pool of people who gained firefighting experience while incarcerated. "If you can fight fires when you're locked up, you can fight fires when you're outside," said Sean Griffin, who co‑presented the bill and described reentry benefits from stable housing and employment.

Key provisions described at the hearing include Section 4.5, which would permit the NDOC director to establish transitional housing for offenders eligible for minimal security who previously were denied parole solely because they lacked available transitional housing. Section 5 would require the Division of Forestry to establish a hiring program for former offenders who served on conservation camp crews in NDOC, provided they completed required firefighter training, obtained necessary certifications, and meet qualifications set by the State Forester/Fire Warden. The State Forester would also be authorized to adopt implementing regulations.

Witnesses said the conservation camp program has a long history in Nevada and that capacity has fallen from historic highs. Sponsors cited that conservation camps have operated since 1958 and said that at their peak they had about 30 working groups of roughly 10 people each, but current staffing is far lower; one presenter said the Division of Forestry now routinely runs only two to three working groups and must sometimes bring in out‑of‑state help.

Supporters, including the Fines and Fees Justice Center, Return Strong, the Nevada Prison Education Project and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, described AB 321 as a reentry and public‑safety measure that can lower recidivism by providing jobs and housing. Paloma Guerrero, representing the Clark County Public Defender's Office, said the bill codifies an existing hiring pathway that Division of Forestry leaders already use and asked committee members to consider the language that currently limits eligibility to people who were previously denied parole because of housing barriers; sponsors said the language was requested by stakeholders but could be revisited in future sessions to expand eligibility earlier in the parole process.

Committee members asked whether the Division of Forestry currently hires formerly incarcerated people and what barriers remain. Guerrero said the Division does hire people who completed camp programs but that the bill would codify the practice so hiring could not be changed by informal policy. Sponsors and witnesses identified practical barriers such as lacking identification at release and differing certification requirements for local government fire departments (for example, EMT certification) that can restrict later transitions to municipal firefighting careers.

No opposition testimony was recorded at the hearing. After testimony and closing remarks, the committee closed the hearing on AB 321.