# Are license plates still made by prisioners? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 21, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-license-plates-still-made-by-prisioners/246361 "2004-05-21T14:37:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oglomott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oglomott/32/3543_2.png) [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-license-plates-still-made-by-prisioners/246361/1 "2004-05-21T14:37:32Z")
We always used to hear that license plates were made by prisioners. But, I would guess not anymore, in this day and age. I would bet that this hasn’t been the case for many years, but this may vary by state (I’m in Florida). I would imagine that states have contracts with private companies to make their license plates. But, I can’t find any information on the companies, the process of how the plate is made, etc. Anyone care to point me to a web site with any details? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-license-plates-still-made-by-prisioners/246361/2 "2004-05-21T14:55:44Z")
In many states, yes, license plates are still made by prisoners. For instance, a blurb on Wymoing, circa 2002: > **[WDOC](https://corrections.wyo.gov/)** > > Wyoming Department of Corrections > [@](#): > > Under a contract with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, inmates at the Wyoming State Penitentiary produce all license plates and tags California’s license plate factory is at Folsom: [http://www.corr.ca.gov/InstitutionsDiv/INSTDIV/facilities/fac\_prison\_FSP.asp](http://www.corr.ca.gov/InstitutionsDiv/INSTDIV/facilities/fac_prison_FSP.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-license-plates-still-made-by-prisioners/246361/3 "2004-05-21T15:04:27Z")
Yes, they still are in many states. If you look at your receipt when you get a new set of plates, you’ll see one of the charges listed is a Prison Industry Fee, typically from $0.50 to $1.00. You can also refer to your state’s DMV website. For example, [Nevada](http://www.dmvnv.com/platesmain.htm) > [@](#): > > Fees are 5.00, plus a .50 per plate Prison Industry Fee, if you obtain a new plate number and do not renew your vehicle registration. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-license-plates-still-made-by-prisioners/246361/4 "2004-05-21T17:09:50Z")
Help stamp out licences plates! Do a stretch in prison. ---
**Author:** ![olefin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@olefin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olefin)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-license-plates-still-made-by-prisioners/246361/5 "2004-05-21T18:32:55Z")
At one time some state prison farms in AR paid their own way. The prison farms suppled beef, milk and vegetables to the prison and other state institutions. There were very few paid employees in the prison system. Most all guards were trustees. Then came prison reform. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-license-plates-still-made-by-prisioners/246361/6 "2004-05-21T20:07:34Z")
I don’t know about license plates here, but at least up to a few years ago (I’m not sure about currently) school textbooks were rebound by prisoners when their cheap-ass covers would fall off or whatever. Now as a job-hunting academic librarian I often wonder if the state’s college and university libraries can take advantage of the same service. 🙂 Surely it would beat whoever we’re using now who can’t bind a journal run that dosen’t lose pages _and_ has a mousetrap cover, too.