PHILACOR is the divisional name for the ten industry shops, which are located throughout the Philadelphia Prison System.

Mission Statement
The primary purpose of Philacor is to train inmates within the Philadelphia Prison System by providing real life work experiences, to equip them with transferable job skills and a work ethic that will help prepare them for post release reentry and employment, while operating in a business-like manner at minimal costs to the taxpayer.

History
Correctional Industries in Philadelphia has been in existence since 1933. During the 1980's, the industry program went through an expansion process, both in the amount of industries provided and the customer base reached.  In 1988, Prison Industries was renamed Philacor and at that time the groundwork for a business enterprise was laid. Today, PHILACOR is one of the largest grossing jail industry programs in the nation. 
 
Revolving Fund

PHILACOR operates by a revolving fund, which was created by legislation and is overseen by the City of Philadelphia Finance Department.  Bill number 1796 establishing the revolving fund was signed into effect on April 22, 1975. The fund provides PHILACOR with the flexibility necessary to manage operating expenses and to purchase raw materials and equipment on an as needed basis. PHILACOR's revenues are deposited into this fund and its expenditures are paid out of it. PHILACOR receives no money from the city to operate.

Shops

PHILACOR is mandated to provide real life work experiences to inmates and to deliver quality goods and services to all city agencies and to the School District of Philadelphia. PHILACOR operates two types of shops; those shops, which provide goods and services solely for the Philadelphia Prison System, and those shops, which provide goods and services for the PPS, other city agencies and the School District of Philadelphia.

Shops servicing the Philadelphia Prison System only are:

The Garment Shop employs on average 23 inmates daily and produces on average 1143 garments per month.

The General Products Plant employs on average twenty inmates and produces an average of 7564 items per month.

The Laundry employs an average of forty inmates on two shifts and cleans an average of 170,691 pounds of laundry per month.

Shops which provide goods and services for the PPS, other city agencies and the School District of Philadelphia include:

The Barricade Plant employing an average of 18 inmates daily and producing an average of 220 barricades per month.

The Carpentry Shop employs an average of sixteen inmates daily and produces an average of 70 completed pieces of furniture a month.

The Culinary Arts Program employees an average of five inmates and prepares on average 2156 items monthly.

The Dry Cleaning Plant employing an average twenty inmates daily and cleaning 962 garments monthly.

The Finishing Plant employees an average of sixteen inmates and finishes an average of 70 pieces of furniture per month.

The Graphics Plant employees an average of twenty-seven inmates and prints an average of 1.065 million impressions per month.

The Upholstery Plant employees an average of twenty-two inmates and produces an average of 116 pieces of furniture per month.

Products

PHILACOR's Furniture Plant produces a full line of case goods: such as desks, credenzas, bookcases, computer units, etc., as well as ergonomic seating, lobby seating and related items.
      
The Culinary Arts Program, or CAP, offers lunch sales in the lobby of PICC on Tuesdays & Thursdays. The program also provides catering services for city agencies.

The Graphics Plant operates a full service print shop, which specializes in business cards, letterheads, envelopes, multi-part forms and color copy work such as newsletters, bill stuffers, brochures etc. In addition, engraved plastic signage is available at very competitive prices.

Please call 215-685-7134 if you are interested in receiving a catalog or brochure of PHILACOR products.

A large sampling of the products made by PHILACOR is on display in the PHILACOR Showroom located inside of the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC) located at 8301 State Road in the northeast section of the city. You can make an appointment to visit the showroom by calling 215-685-7134.

By supporting Correctional Industries, your agency can obtain quality goods and services.  At the same time your support keeps our shops running and offers an opportunity for incarcerated adults to become skilled in a marketable trade.