(Image source from: Prison inmates to fight forest fires in Va.})

Prison inmates from Virginia will now be trained to fight forest fires in the state. Prison officials from the state have said that around 160 inmates were being trained to help battle wildfires in Virginia's western parts.

Inmates who have been categorised as low-risk and nonviolent are chosed to fight forest fires and to participate in fire-prevention related activities.

The state Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service have formed a partnership to train inmates in fire prevention activities and to battle forest fires.

In 1996 the program was first experimented  at Cold Springs Correctional Unit and Work Center in Greenville with the U.S. Forest Service.
After the initial success the program, with the help of state forestry department, was expanded and applied on prisons inmates from Coeburn, Ridgeway and Honaker.

The partnership has been of immense help in saving forestland and protecting public and private property, said  Harold Clarke, director of the Department of Corrections.

(Picture Source: i.telegraph.co.uk)

(AW: Pratima Tigga)