Inmates stand in the courtyard of the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

An inmate watches the training of the prison football team at the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Inmates watch the training of the prison football team at the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Inmates stand in the courtyard of the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Inmates watch the training of the prison football team at the Apodaca prison in Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Inmates are seen standing inside their cell during a roll call at the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Police officers stand guard during a roll call of inmates at the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

An inmate walks along a corridor of the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

An inmate walks along a corridor of the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

An inmate is seen inside his cell in the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

An inmate is seen inside his cell in the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Inmates walk along corridors of the Apodaca prison in the municipality of Apodaca, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Inmates protest on the top of a prison building demanding to speed up their judicial process and that they be granted bail, after the number of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases increased in prisons in the country, in Colombo, Sri Lanka November 18, 2020. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

Inmates protest on the top of a prison building demanding to speed up their judicial process and that they be granted bail, after the number of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases increased in prisons in the country, in Colombo, Sri Lanka November 18, 2020. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

Inmates protest on the top of a prison building demanding to speed up their judicial process and that they be granted bail, after the number of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases increased in prisons in the country, in Colombo, Sri Lanka November 18, 2020. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Family members of inmates, who are held in Lebanese prisons, take part in a protest asking for the amnesty law, near the UNESCO Palace where a legislative session is taking place, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 30, 2020. Picture taken September 30, 2020. The banner reads: " Imprison the criminals, and not those who made mistakes". REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

An inmate firefighter marches along State Route 29 during the Glass Fire in Calistoga, California, U.S. October 2, 2020. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

A group of inmate firefighters traverse a slope during the Glass Fire in Calistoga, California, U.S. October 2, 2020. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Relatives wave to inmates of the Puente Grande maximum security prison while being transferred by bus to another facilities following the federal government's decision to close the prison, which gained notoriety after the escaping of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2001, in El Salto, Jalisco state, Mexico September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

Relatives react after inmates of the Puente Grande maximum security prison were transferred by bus to another facilities following the federal government's decision to close the prison, which gained notoriety after the escaping of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2001, in El Salto, Jalisco state, Mexico September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

Relatives wave to inmates of the Puente Grande maximum security prison while being transferred by bus to another facilities following the federal government's decision to close the prison, which gained notoriety after the escaping of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2001, in El Salto, Jalisco state, Mexico September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

Relatives wave to inmates of the Puente Grande maximum security prison while being transferred by bus to another facilities following the federal government's decision to close the prison, which gained notoriety after the escaping of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2001, in El Salto, Jalisco state, Mexico September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

Relatives react after inmates of the Puente Grande maximum security prison were transferred by bus to another facilities following the federal government's decision to close the prison, which gained notoriety after the escaping of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2001, in El Salto, Jalisco state, Mexico September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

Relatives wave to inmates of the Puente Grande maximum security prison while being transferred by bus to another facilities following the federal government's decision to close the prison, which gained notoriety after the escaping of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2001, in El Salto, Jalisco state, Mexico September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

A convoy of Mexico's federal forces escort a bus with inmates of the Puente Grande maximum security prison while being transferred to another facilities following the federal government's decision to close the prison, which gained notoriety after the escaping of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in 2001, in El Salto, Jalisco state, Mexico September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

Armando Gomez-Zacarias, 24, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, gets ready to help mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, after waking up in a tent near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

A dust devil kicks up ash and dirt in the aftermath of the Brattain Fire near Fremont National Forest near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Joshua Rutledge, 42, and Guillermo Rojas, 29, who are inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, put on flame-resistant clothing as they prepare to help mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

A sign reading "We Will Beat This Together, COVID-19" stands at a camp where inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, were being housed, while helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, are transported in a secure vehicle as they travel towards the Brattain Fire, Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Edgar Maya, 30, Matthew Tice, 37, and Armando Gomez-Zacarias, 24, who are inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, wait for the rest of the firefighting crew after descending in the dark out of Fremont National Forest, where they were helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Tasi Autele, 46, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, collects garbage from a base camp designated for firefighters and first responders tasked with mopping up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Joshua Rutledge, 42, and Guillermo Rojas, 29, who are inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, prepare to help mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, after waking up in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Eddie Correia, 36, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, shows his tattoos as he poses for a photograph, on the sidelines of the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 21, 2020. Correia says he survived a birdshot from a shotgun. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A ponderosa pine tree is cut down after having burnt in the Brattain Fire, at Fremont National Forest, near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Juan Berumen, 34, Matthew Tice, 37 and Guillermo Rojas, 29, who are inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, have their morning coffee while preparing to help mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Smoke rises up from the Brattain Fire, as trees burn in Fremont National Forest, in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 18, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Douglas White, 28, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, looks on as he is covered in dust and sweat, while helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, look on as they are led by Ryan Webb, a crew boss with the Oregon Department of Forestry, wearing a blue hat, and David Halbleib, the fire crew supervisor and correctional officer, as the crew tries to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. "One of the really good things about this program is providing these guys with training and something they can look forward to doing on the outside when they are rehabilitating. I personally told all of them they can get a hold of me on the outside and I could point them in the right direction to help them find work," Webb said. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, help to distribute lunch to firefighters and first responders tasked with helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility put on flame-resistant clothing as they wake up and get ready to help mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire, in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

The belongings of an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, is left next to his bed where he and other inmates are camping out on the sidelines of the Brattain Fire, helping to mop up hotspots, in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Joshua Rutledge, 42, and other inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, wait to take showers after returning to camp after helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Guillermo Rojas, 29, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, has his temperature checked before heading into the field to help mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, walk side-by-side in a grid formation as they help to mop up remaining hot spots from the Brattain Fire in Fremont National Forest near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Joshua Rutledge, 42, and other inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, eat dinner under the light of a headlamp after returning to camp after helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Armando Gomez-Zacarias, 24, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, shaves his beard after returning to camp after helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Douglas White, 28, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, wipes dust and sweat off his face after descending out of Fremont National Forest, where he and a crew of other inmates helped to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Correctional Officers from Warner Creek Correctional Facility David Halbleib and Weldon Reedy, speak to each other as inmates, working as firefighters, return to camp after helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, mop up a hot spot from the Brattain Fire in Fremont National Forest near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Matthew Tice, 37, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, takes a break as he rests in Fremont National Forest as he and other inmates who are also working as firefighters, help to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

In the flames, they are finding redemption. The 10 Oregon prisoners carry chainsaws, axes, shovels and hoes into the biggest wildfires the state has seen in a century. Banding together, they form lines in the forest and trudge up the steep ashen slopes of the Cascade Mountains, hunting embers that could reignite flames. The men are part of a seven-decade-old state-run program that aims to do two basic things: Rehabilitate prisoners by teaching them a trade, and provide extra boots on the ground for intense wildfire seasons. The men in a crew working the forested mountains near Paisley, Oregon, last week were mostly young and fit. They had to be to scale the punishing terrain. Ankle-deep ash slicked hills and meant the men slipped two steps back for each stride forward. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES Matching text: USA-WILDFIRES/INMATES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Inmates from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as firefighters, kick up ash as they descend out of Fremont National Forest, while helping to mop up remaining hot spots from the Brattain Fire in Fremont National Forest near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

An inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a firefighter, sharpens an ax before helping to mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Rhett Howerton, 49, an inmate from Warner Creek Correctional Facility, working as a sawyer, stands with other inmates, working as firefighters, as they prepare to help mop up hotspots from the Brattain Fire near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., September 20, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif SEARCH "INMATES WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Inmate firefighters from the Pine Grove camp rest at the site of the Glass Fire, in Saint Helena, California, U.S., September 28, 2020. REUTERS/Fred Greaves

A gendarme stands guard at the jail where Celestino Cordova, an indigenous Mapuche inmate who was authorized to visit his home after spending more than 100 days on hunger strike, is imprisoned at Vilcun area, Temuco, Chile, September 18 2020. REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra

Mapuche and Chilean flags are placed on a road near the home of Celestino Cordova, an indigenous Mapuche inmate who was authorized to visit his home after spending more than 100 days on hunger strike, at Itinento area, Padre las Casas, Temuco, Chile, September 18 2020. REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra