Worker describes sewing prisoner uniforms and charity projects at UCI sew shop

Melissa Rush, a worker in the UCI Sew Shop, told attendees she has worked in the shop for a year and a half and that the program employs about eight people producing prisoner uniforms. "My name is Melissa Rush, and I've been in the UCI Sew Shop for a year and a half," she said.

Rush said the shop handles both female and male prisoner uniforms. She described female uniforms as maroon and said the team cuts and assembles those garments from scratch. "When I first started out, I was doing the female prisoner uniforms, which are maroons," she said. More recently, she said, the shop began producing male uniforms, which she described as white, and added that those are similarly cut and assembled on-site.

Rush told the audience the work has taught her patience with both machinery and the people who participate in the program. "In the UCI sew shop, I've learned patience, not only with people, but also with the machinery," she said, noting that program participants come from diverse backgrounds and have different learning and communication styles.

She also described the shop's charitable work, saying staff and participants have produced mittens, hats and diaper bags for people in need. "We really appreciate being given the opportunity to do that type of work, because we love giving back to the community," Rush said. She closed by thanking the audience for allowing the group to participate in the program.

No formal motions, votes, or references to statutes were recorded during this statement, which was delivered as a public comment/presentation.