Design and Product Development

Adults in Custody: How Partnering with a State Correctional Facility Apparel Factory Fosters a Unique Learning Environment for Design Students

Authors: Susan L Sokolowski (University of Oregon) , Tom Bonamici (University of Oregon)

Abstract

Faculty from the author’s academic department were contacted by the Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE) to determine if a partnership could be established between the university and state agency. OCE operates training programs for Adults in Custody, housed within Oregon prisons. Their programs teach inmates marketable skills, including 3D CAD drafting, welding, furniture making, sewing and embroidery. OCE expressed to the university that they needed help to update the design of their current products; many which have not been changed in decades. Some of the products produced through OCE include workwear, furniture, roadway/park signs and camp structures. Related to workwear, OCE produces a denim line called Prison Blues. It has been in production since the late 1980’s out of its’ Pendleton Oregon in a 47,000 square foot factory. This paper will explain a design course that focused on the creation of new denim products for the Prison Blues factory.

Keywords: Denim, Adults in Custody

How to Cite: Sokolowski, S. L. & Bonamici, T. (2019) “Adults in Custody: How Partnering with a State Correctional Facility Apparel Factory Fosters a Unique Learning Environment for Design Students”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings. 76(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.9466