Michigan inmates produce patriotic license plates for America’s 250th birthday
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ADRIAN, Mich. (News 10) – The 4th of July is on Saturday, marking 250 years of American independence, and the Michigan Department of Corrections is giving drivers a chance to show their patriotism on their car.
New red, white, and blue license plates are being produced at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, Michigan, to mark the occasion.
Gus Harrision Correctional License plate facility worker monitors license plate printer.(WILX)
Joseph Downard with Michigan Plant Industries said the new design is modeled after the bicentennial plates produced at the facility 50 years ago, for the 200th anniversary.
To recreate the look, Downard said staff traced an original 1976 plate to match the design as closely as possible.
“We have our wall of history, and we actually took down a 1976 plate, and we traced it,” Downard said. “And we worked with 3M and MDOC to try to get the exact design, the exact colors, and everything to try to mimic it.”
The 1976 sketch for Michigan’s bicentennial anniversary license plates made at the Gus Harrison Facility in Adrian, Michigan.(WILX)
The design isn’t the only part commemorating a piece of history; the machinery used to make the plates was the same equipment used decades ago.
“We’re still using the same presses, the same inkers, the ink letters, everything,” Downard said.
Inmates gain transferable skills on the factory floor
The semiquincentennial plates are among the more than 1.5 million plates produced annually at the facility by inmates.
“The license plate factory at Gus Harrison is operated by Michigan State Industries (MSI)…that has been providing work opportunities to prisoners since 1943. The operation produces all license plates used by Michigan drivers,” according to the state’s website.
Garrett Atkinson has worked at Gus Harrison for two years, starting on the factory floor and working his way up to office clerk.
“There’s a lot that goes into making plates. It’s a multi-day thing, you know,” Atkinson said.
He said the job has become an outlet for him and many other inmates.
“Being here versus being in the unit, it almost kind of feels like being at a real job. It’s actually kind of nice to have that escapism almost,” Atkinson said. “It’s always kind of the cream of the crop, I would say, up here. So, it’s nice to kind of be around that. And it keeps you away from the nonsense.”
Downard said the work experience also prepares inmates for life after release.
“When they get out, they can be with other people, and actually work next to them, and know how to work next to them, and communicate with them properly,” Downard said.
According to the state’s website, providing workforce opportunities to inmates has contributed to the “historic low” recidivism rate in the state, which is currently at 21%.
The red, white and blue license plate is available to order now on the state’s website, at a car dealership or at any Secretary of State’s office.
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