The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC), in partnership with Pratt Institute, announced Sept. 25 the launch of a fashion design and workforce development program at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility (EMCF).
The program is one of the first of its kind in the United States, joining similar efforts in Milan and London.
“This program represents a milestone in correctional education,” said NJDOC Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn. “We are excited to leverage Pratt Institute’s renowned art and design programs with the department’s existing vocational and technical education programs. 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.”
The Design Studio provides incarcerated women with a structured, professional-level curriculum in fashion design, apparel construction, digital design, and business planning. The program reflects NJDOC’s mission to advance rehabilitation and re-entry through education and vocational opportunities, while also demonstrating the department’s commitment to collaboration with leading academic and industry partners.
For Pratt Institute, the initiative extends a longstanding mission of building educational and career pathways that expand access to creative disciplines. For more than 135 years, Pratt has created opportunities for individuals who might not otherwise have access, from early collaborations with public schools to the recent founding of Design Works High School in New York City, and now, through this initiative for incarcerated women.
“Pratt Institute is a natural partner here — creativity, design, and innovation are at the heart of what we do, and those values translate powerfully into helping people build new futures,” said Maira Seara, dean of Pratt Institute’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “Together, we’re opening doors, fostering dignity, and investing in safer, stronger communities.”
The Design Studio curriculum was developed by faculty from Pratt’s Fashion program—one of the first fashion programs in the United States and an internationally recognized leader in preparing students for the future of the creative industries.
Over the course of 10 months, participants will complete 40 weeks of structured instruction led by Pratt faculty, supported by NJDOC staff. At the conclusion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion from Pratt Institute’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Programs like the Design Studio 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.
