A unique fashion design and workforce development program for incarcerated women officially launched at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility (EMCF) in Clinton, New Jersey last week. Developed by Pratt Institute and the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC), the program is one of the first of its kind in the United States and worldwide. The Design Studio will provide incarcerated women with a structured, professional-level curriculum in fashion design, apparel construction, digital design, and business planning. In addition to teaching new skills, the program aims to advance rehabilitation and reentry through meaningful vocational education.
“Creativity, design, and innovation are at the heart of what we do at Pratt, and those values translate powerfully into helping people build new futures,” said Maira Seara, Dean of Pratt’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). “Together, in partnership with NJDOC, we’re opening doors, fostering dignity, and investing in safer, stronger communities.”
The Design Studio will build hard skills—and the confidence to use them in real-world environments. Beyond the classroom, participants gain experience in collaboration, accountability, and problem-solving habits that transfer directly into the workplace. Opportunities exist in New Jersey, New York City and beyond in apparel production facilities, sample rooms, design studios and many other related industries. Local manufacturers and fashion houses often seek trained technicians for patternmaking, garment construction, and digital design, opening doors to steady, in-demand jobs while also supporting the regional economy.
The EMCF Design Studio has been equipped to replicate a professional design environment. Over the course of 10 months, ten participants will complete 40 weeks of structured instruction led by Pratt faculty, supported by NJDOC staff. In partnership with Pratt SCPS, the program extends the Institute’s longstanding commitment to expanding opportunities and preparing individuals for futures in which creativity and professional skill go hand in hand. From early collaborations with public schools to the recent founding of Design Works High School in New York City, Pratt works to empower individuals to become changemakers in their communities.
“We are excited to leverage Pratt Institute’s renowned art and design programs with the Department’s existing vocational and technical education programs,” said NJDOC Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq. “This collaboration will prepare participants for release by providing them with both state-of-the-art technical skills and the discipline, professionalism, and confidence needed to succeed.”
At the conclusion of the Design Studio program, participants will receive a certificate of completion from SCPS, which will help showcase their qualifications as they take steps towards reentry and employment.
The Design Studio curriculum was developed by Adjunct Associate Professor of Fashion Design and SCPS Lecturer Kerry Ryan, who will also count among its faculty.
The curriculum is comprehensive and students begin with sketching, garment fitting, and mood boards, then progress through draping, patternmaking, and garment construction. Training advances into digital design, where students gain proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and other professional tools. They create prototypes, prepare technical packs, and refine designs through fittings. Coursework extends into branding, niche markets, supply chains, and ethical sourcing, before culminating in production readiness. Through this hands-on experience, participants learn skills that are both creatively enriching and professionally applicable, paving the way for successful and meaningful next steps.