BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) is expanding workforce development opportunities for individuals who are incarcerated through a new partnership tied to its Prison Enterprises (PE) Garment Factory program.
The Garment Factory employs more than 100 inmates who are responsible for producing clothing and bedding used by most local jails and state correctional facilities across Louisiana. The program provides participants with valuable, hands-on work experience while supporting institutional needs.
In an effort to enhance the long-term impact of this work, Prison Enterprises Director Joe Buttross collaborated with the DPS&C Reentry, Education, and Chaplaincy (REC) Division to introduce industry-based certifications for inmates working in the factory. Through a partnership with the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), participants can now earn certifications in fashion, textiles and apparel to help secure employment after release.
AAFCS Chief of Staff Dr. Lori Myers visited Raymond Laborde Correctional Center on April 22, 2026, where she toured the facility’s Garment Factory and education programs, met with participants and staff, and attended a luncheon prepared by the facility’s culinary class led by SOWELA Technical Community College.
Myers praised the program’s alignment with national workforce trends, noting increased interest in “Made in the USA” production and a growing demand for skilled machine operators. She emphasized the importance of pairing hands-on experience with industry-recognized credentials, as well as incorporating financial literacy, communication and workplace readiness skills to support successful reentry.
“The programs are not just about learning a skill-it’s about preparing individuals for what comes next,” she said. “The individuals I met demonstrated both knowledge and a genuine desire to succeed. That focus on reentry and long-term success makes these programs truly impactful.”
DPS&C officials said the partnership reflects the department’s continued commitment to rehabilitation through education, workforce training and reentry initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism and preparing individuals for successful futures beyond incarceration.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections Communications Team via email at [email protected].