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Skill Forge: A Sustainable Prison Labor Program

Bacting Wendy Grace

Garma Kimberly

Miranda Mary Grace

Pascual Abegail

Department of Criminal Justice Education

Bachelor of Science in Criminology

Ma’am Gliza Agtunong

May 2025
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PLAN OBJECTIVE

Skill Forge proposes a prison labor program focused on the production of Rattan baskets and Beaded

ornaments to achieve two key goals: rehabilitating inmates through skills development and reducing

recidivism, while simultaneously generating revenue for Skill Forge. This initiative offers a sustainable

model for positive social impact, contributing to both economic growth and the successful reintegration

of formerly incarcerated individuals into society. The comprehensive proposal details the program’s

implementation strategy, projected outcomes, and financial viability.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover/Title page

Plan Objective

Table of contents

Business Profile

Market Profile

Competition Profile

Location, Facilities, Equipment and Economy

Management Profile

Personnel Profile

Financial Profile/Information
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BUSINESS PROFILE

Skill Forge is a social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives through ethical prison labor programs.

We partner with correctional facilities to provide inmates with work opportunities in industries such as

furniture manufacturing, textiles, agriculture, and small-scale product assembly. These businesses not

only equip incarcerated individuals with valuable skills but also contribute to reducing recidivism by

preparing them for life after release. The organizational structure of Skill Forge is a hybrid model

combining nonprofit and for-profit elements. The enterprise is overseen by a Board of Directors,

composed of professionals from criminal justice, business, and social work backgrounds. The executive

team manages operations, while facility managers coordinate day-to-day activities within prison

workshops. Supervisors and vocational instructors directly engage with inmate workers, ensuring

productivity, safety, and skill development.

Skill Forge operates primarily in the manufacturing and rehabilitation services industry, positioning itself

as both a production company and a workforce development organization. Our products are

competitively priced and socially impactful, appealing to consumers and businesses seeking ethical

sourcing solutions. We are Second Chance Industries, a bridge between incarceration and reintegration,

turning prisons into places of productivity and hope. We are a social enterprise harnessing the potential

of prison labor to create value—for our customers, for society, and most importantly, for the individuals

seeking a fresh start. We aim to expand nationally, advocating for ethical prison labor practices, creating

more employment opportunities within correctional systems, and establishing post-release employment

pipelines, ultimately contributing to lower recidivism rates and stronger communities.

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MARKET PROFILE

There is a significant need for the Rattan baskets and Beaded ornaments produced through our prison

labor program. This need is evident through the existing demand for such products within the

correctional system and the broader market. Industry data shows a [Growth/Decline] in the market for

[Related Products/Services], with growth driven by [Reason, e.g increasing need for cost-effective

solutions, rising demand for eco-friendly products]. Important industry trends include increased

emphasis on sustainable and ethical sourcing, a growing focus on inmate rehabilitation programs, and a

greater societal pressure for economic sustainability within the correctional system. Our target

customers are correctional facilities (both state and private) seeking cost-effective solutions while also

upholding standards for quality and ethical production. We may also potentially target specific retailers

interested in sustainably sourced products. Our offering is unique because of its combination of high-

quality production using ethical and sustainable labor practices within a rehabilitative framework, which

also reduces the financial burden faced by correctional facilities. Customers should choose Skill Forge

because of our value proposition: high-quality goods, ethical sourcing, positive societal impact, and cost-

effectiveness. Our pricing will be competitive within the market, while reflecting the reduced costs

associated with our in-prison production model. We will invest in targeted marketing to correctional

authorities (e.g, presentations at conferences, direct outreach) and promote our ethical and community-

focused approach to create brand awareness. Our sales and marketing efforts will account for [Estimated

Percentage]% of our initial budget. We expect repeat sales due to continued supply contracts with

correctional facilities and the ongoing need for our products/services. Channels of distribution will

primarily involve direct contracts with correctional facilities, and we intend to leverage the internet for

marketing and communication, establishing an online presence to showcase our work and values.
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COMPETITION PROFILE

Our primary competitors in the prison labor market are other organizations providing similar services to

correctional facilities. While direct competitors may be limited depending on the specific product or

service offered and geographic location, indirect competition exists from other rehabilitation programs

and private sector companies seeking to provide similar goods or services. The closeness of competitors

varies widely based on the specific product/service and geographic reach of the program; some may

focus on a national level, others on regional or even individual prisons. We anticipate that existing

providers may react defensively to our entry, possibly through price adjustments, increased marketing,

or lobbying efforts within the correctional system. Weaknesses of existing programs may include limited

technological capabilities, outdated methods, or a less robust focus on inmate rehabilitation. Skill Forge

can capitalize on these by offering technologically advanced production methods, innovative training

schemes, and a demonstrably higher rate of successful inmate reintegration. Conversely, existing

relationships with correctional officials and established distribution networks represent strengths that

we can potentially leverage through strategic partnerships. Sales trends of existing prison labor

programs are likely tied to governmental funding availability and shifting priorities in correctional policy;

detailed market research is required to provide specific figures. We project capturing 99.9% of the

relevant market based on our competitive advantages, including [Specific Advantages, e.g., superior

quality, innovative training program, strong management team]. Our pricing will be competitive with

existing programs while reflecting the value added by our approach to rehabilitation and efficiency. Our

superior quality will manifest in superior products and a dedicated focus on high-quality vocational

training, creating a strong value proposition for correctional facilities. Our service excels in proactive

communication with correctional authorities and a strong commitment to inmate success.

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LOCATION, FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND ECONOMY

Skill Forge will initially operate within a pilot correctional facility located in Abaya St., Batal, Santiago City,

Isabela, Philippines selected based on its infrastructure, administrative cooperation, and inmate

population. The facility includes designated workshop spaces that will be retrofitted to accommodate

rattan basket weaving and beaded ornament production. These workspaces will be equipped with

appropriate tools such as cutting and weaving tools, bead threading equipment, storage units, and safety

gear.

The startup phase requires moderate capital investment in production equipment, vocational training

materials, safety infrastructure, and basic furnishings. All equipment will be selected for durability, ease

of use, and suitability for training purposes. Over time, operations will expand to additional facilities

nationwide, based on scalability assessments and regional demand.

The local economy benefits through this initiative by creating employment opportunities purchasing

from local suppliers, and contributing to a reduction in recidivism, which lowers the economic burden on

the justice system. Additionally, the ethical production model is aligned with current economic trends

favoring sustainability, local sourcing, and social responsibility.

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MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Abegail D. Pascual
Chief Executive Officer

Wendy Grace [Link] Mary Grace S. Miranda Kimberly G. Garma

Chief Operating Officer Chief Technology Officer Chief Marketing Officer

Skill Forge is led by an experienced executive team with backgrounds in criminal justice, social

enterprise, operations management, and vocational education. The team includes:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oversees strategy, partnerships, and organizational growth.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Manages daily operations, logistics, and workflow across prison

[Link] of Rehabilitation Programs Designs and evaluates vocational training and inmate

development [Link] of Sales and Marketing Leads efforts to promote Skill Forge to

correctional facandilities [Link] Director Handles budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and

compliance.
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Each executive is supported by a team of department heads, administrative staff, and facility managers

who ensure smooth operations. Facility managers work closely with prison officials and oversee

supervisors and vocational instructors on-site. Regular performance reviews, impact evaluations, and

feedback mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability and continual improvement.

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PERSONNEL PROFILE

Our initial personnel requirements include a management team of [Number] individuals, with a focus on

recruiting individuals possessing strong organizational and leadership skills and a willingness to learn.

This team will be supplemented by [Number] skilled labor instructors capable of delivering vocational

training to inmates, prioritizing those with practical experience in relevant trades. Future requirements

will depend on program growth, necessitating the hiring of additional production workers and

instructors. Training will involve a combination of internal training programs, partnerships with

vocational training providers, and on-the-job learning. Essential skills include effective communication,

teamwork, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning. While prior experience is beneficial,

a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn are highly valued. Skilled vocational instructors are scarce;

recruitment will involve a multi-faceted approach, including attracting instructors from other fields and

providing comprehensive training programs. Most employees will be full-time, with salaried positions

for management and hourly wages for instructors and production workers. Competitive salaries,

commensurate with experience, will be offered, along with benefits like health insurance and paid time

off, to attract and retain qualified personnel. Exact salary ranges will vary per role and are detailed

within our complete compensation plan.

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FINANCIAL PROFILE/INFORMATION

Financial Information

Statement of Financing Need and Purpose

Weave & Bead seeks a smaller loan of ₱50,000 to cover essential start-up costs. This bootstrapped
approach prioritizes using personal resources and minimizing initial debt. The funds will be used as
follows:

 Raw Materials: ₱20,000 (initial supply of rattan, beads, etc.)

 Essential Equipment: ₱15,000 (basic tools, minimal storage)

 Basic Marketing: ₱10,000 (simple online presence, local market participation)

 Working Capital: ₱5,000 (cover immediate expenses)

Start-Up Expenses

Item Cost(₱)

Raw Materials ₱20,000

Essential Equipment ₱15,000

Basic Marketing ₱10,000

Licenses & Permits ₱5,000

Total Start-Up Costs ₱50,000

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Monthly Income Projection

Month Revenue COGS Gross Profit Operating Net Projection

Expenses

January ₱5,000 ₱2,000 ₱3,000 ₱1,500 ₱1,500

February ₱7,000 ₱2,800 ₱4,200 ₱1,500 ₱2,700

March ₱9,000 ₱3,600 ₱5,400 ₱1,500 ₱3,900

April ₱11,000 ₱4.400 ₱6,600 ₱1,500 ₱5,100

May ₱13,000 ₱5,200 ₱7,800 ₱1,500 ₱6,300

June ₱15,000 ₱6,000 ₱9,000 ₱1,500 ₱7,500

July ₱17,000 ₱6,800 ₱10,200 ₱1,500 ₱8,700

August ₱19,000 ₱7,600 ₱11,400 ₱1,500 ₱9.900

September ₱21,000 ₱8,400 ₱12,600 ₱1,500 ₱11,100

October ₱23,000 ₱9,200 ₱13,800 ₱1,500 ₱12,300

November ₱25,000 ₱10,000 ₱15,000 ₱1,500 ₱13,500

December ₱27,000 ₱10,800 ₱16,200 ₱1,500 ₱14,700