Correction Connection

We are located in Eastern Oregon near the base of the Blue Mountains in Historic Pendleton Oregon. Pendleton is not only the home of Correction Connection but also the world famous Pendleton Round-Up, Hamely & Co. Saddles,and the Pendleton Woolen Mills. Our shopping experience is like no other due to offering a product that is a conversation piece, durable, and fills the needs of hard working individuals or the casual dresser. The products that we offer are made by inmates serving time at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institute located in Pendleton. EOCI has created a work program that has given the inmates an opportunity to not only help out the tax payers but also, pay restitution, build a work ethic, and gain a work skill. We are proud to not only offer products that help the State of Oregon, but to also provide the best customer service possible. Prison Blues denim products are made in the USA with 100% cotton denim and there is NO SALES TAX!!!!!!

Prison Blues

THE ROOTS

Prison Blues started with two ingredients: 1. a federal government grant funded by drug money seizures. 2. a plan to defray incarceration costs. Mindful of the impact prison industries have on private sector businesses, the State of Oregon conducted a thorough study to establish a viable product for production. The conclusion that Oregon's manufacturers would not suffer from a prison garment industry laid the foundation for our 47,000 square foot Garment Factory. The factory was created in 1989 to manufacture blue jeans, yard coats, work shirts, and T-shirts for inmates.

Prison Blues is managed by a private sector staff of professionals working in conjunction with corrections officers and an average of well over 80 inmates producing our products. The factory is run as closely as possible to one on the outside, though with higher security issues. The environment is bright and energetic, designed to maximize productivity, and most of the workers appreciate the time they can spend at work.

THE WORKFORCE

In order for an inmate to be eligible for hire in our garment factory, he must have demonstrated good conduct and go through an interview hiring process. To keep his coveted Prison Blues job, an inmate has to be just as productive on the inside as we are required to be on the outside, as well as maintain good behavior within the institution. The possible three-year waiting list to be interviewed for a Prison Blues job is serious motivation for an inmate to stay out of trouble to ensure that he keeps his position. We don't expect these men to become tailors upon their release, but we do know that they will have an applicable job skill as well as a work ethic that may have been previously lacking. It is difficult for paroled inmates to re-establish themselves in their communities; but we hope their demonstrated participation in Prison Blues will enhance their chances for the success necessary to keep individuals from perpetuation a life of crime.

PRISON BLUES BENEFITS

Prison Blues is the most highly sought job at the prison; inmates earn a prevailing industry wage, they keep around 20% of what they earn which equals to about $120 - $150 a month after paying taxes, with bonus incentives for quality and productivity. Like the private sector, inmates are expected to pay their own way with their earnings. Eighty percent is withheld from their earnings to pay for their own incarceration costs, victim restitution, family support, and state and federal wage taxes. This significantly reduces the burden on taxpayers. It costs an average of $22,400 per year to provide for an inmate's care. Inmates can use the rest of their earnings for voluntary family support, to buy items at the prison canteen, or for deposit in a savings account available to them upon their release. An inmate can accumulate a decent nest egg after working in the program over a number of years. Another incentive program allows workers to earn " Blues Bucks " , created by our Factory management team. A worker can earn a bonus to " purchase " the clothing he is producing, based on his quality of work each month.

THE PRODUCTS