Prison Blues clothing is made at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton by volunteer inmates. There is a two-year waiting list of inmates who would like to be part of the Prison Blues clothing workforce. While in the program, inmate workers receive industry-standard prevailing wages and gain skills for life outside of prison.
With the outsourcing of so much of the U.S.'s clothing production, Prison Blues clothing can claim membership in the now-elite group of made-in-the-USA clothing line manufacturers.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Inmate Workforce
- The trend of utilizing inmate workers in fashion manufacturing presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in socially responsible and cost-effective production.
- Made-in-the-usa Clothing
- The growing trend of consumers favoring domestically-made clothing creates an opportunity for disruptive innovation in revitalizing local clothing manufacturing industries.
- Skills Development Programs
- The trend of providing skills training programs for inmates offers an opportunity for disruptive innovation in reducing recidivism rates and empowering individuals for successful reintegration into society.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Fashion Manufacturing
- The fashion manufacturing industry can explore disruptive innovation by incorporating inmate workforce programs to improve productivity and reduce labor costs.
- Clothing Production
- The clothing production industry can seize the opportunity presented by the made-in-the-USA trend to differentiate their products and meet consumer preferences.
- Criminal Justice Rehabilitation
- The criminal justice rehabilitation industry can engage in disruptive innovation by expanding skills development programs for inmates to promote successful reentry into society and reduce recidivism rates.
