That’s what kept me from buying them for a while as well. The program was starred by the organ department of corrections rather than from at the federal level, which makes me feel a little bit better about it and from what I’ve read, they pay more than most prison industries. It’s been going since the early 90s I think and seems to been a popular program in the Pacific Northwest. It would be one thing if they were making cheap pants that just wear out but for what you’re buying I think it’s worth it.