The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Inmate craft shops. Has a long rich history of making excellent custom holsters, gun rigs, grips, boots, saddles, spurs, the list goes on and on. Attached is few examples of their craftsmanship.




That is exactly the scenario in the piddlin shops. First off the use of the shop is after regular duty hours, it is a privilege earned through good behavior, the inmate sets the rates and signs a contract with the end user. Monies earned go in to the inmates account to purchase sundries, some food items (sorry no tobacco products allowed for anyone inside the wire including staff) or retained as a nest egg for use upon release.If they run it like the old Fort Leavenworth Craft Shop used to, the end user will pay for the work and usually for the leather used - the prisoner determines the price - it's a side job and completely separate from whatever work detail that he's responsible for.
The prisoners spend that money on snacks, sundries, and small electronics, and of course - cigarettes...
It's not like they don't have the spare time...
They get paid for their products. They do it as a privilege and not as forced labor. It is one of the ways they can earn a little cash for sundries.I am not sure that I like the idea of prison labor being used to benefit government employees for their own personal benefit. Something just does not pass the smell test on that. Why should government employees benefit from the people they are gaurding. What is different than having them go paint your house? And am a Texan and this smacks of ol ' time forced labor.
Do you know when this changed? I had several items from an inmate who was incarcerated in the 90's. I didn't purchase them, as they were mailed to me as gifts. Can inmates still send leather items as gifts?As a retired TDCJ employee and married to a current employee you must be a current employee or law enforcement official to contract with a inmate to create any craft in the prison Piddlin shop (Prison slang for craft shop) also nothing purchased may be for resale. Any violations may be considered a reason for TDCJ rules violation and could you eligible to work in the piddlin shop with good behavior. Just sayin guys.
Exactly, Mike....I wish I had contracted for some of the leather before I retired from Dallas PD as many of my colleagues did. This is not involuntary servitude as some have erroneously thought, and the farm produces much of the food for the prisoners, and much of the funds from the craftwork goes to the inmates who produce it. It is NOT for the benefit of government officials.That is exactly the scenario in the piddlin shops. First off the use of the shop is after regular duty hours, it is a privilege earned through good behavior, the inmate sets the rates and signs a contract with the end user. Monies earned go in to the inmates account to purchase sundries, some food items (sorry no tobacco products allowed for anyone inside the wire including staff) or retained as a nest egg for use upon release.
Mike
Chuckcook:
I ordered my holsters and belt and double magazine clip holders.
They will sell to the regular public, but the prices are a little higher. Instead of $65 for holster for Texas law-dogs it is $100 for others. Can't wait for them to show up in a couple of weeks. They even asked if I wanted State of Oregon seal instead of Texas, but told them no seal for mine. I think they will try to make anything if you can send them a picture of what you want. Great customer service! Might order the Judges chair next???
These gunleather items show a superb understanding of excellent design from a scientific design standpoint -- note the full clearance for the mag button and the finger's knuckle, the wide slots that are curved to appeal to the eye, the trailing point at the muzzle that is not functional but shows originality and implies speed, the closeness of the double stitching that is not too far, not too close to function as reinforcements for each other, the close positioning of the mag pouch's sewing to the moulding. I admit I wonder if I'd feel the same if I could see the backside ("always show the back" will be on my tombstone) because of the overstrap appearing from the front to be overly tall; but from the parts I can see: an excellent result of design and craftsmanship.Here's my set View attachment 778147