<P> Only within the last twenty years have jumpsuits and scrubs become popular, and mostly out of economic issues . In many cases, prison uniforms usually consist of clothing better suited to the comfort and durability required for long term inmates, and these new uniforms are thus used mostly in local jails for short term inmates and offenders awaiting trial or transportation to a more permanent facility . </P> <P> A recent trend to use uniforms as a measure of punishment has become increasingly popular . Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona resorted to stripes and harsh conditions for his inmates, including pink underpants for his male charges . Striped uniforms in general have made a significant comeback into the jail and prison system for a variety of reasons, such as mistaking jumpsuit - clad workers or scrub - clad nurses / doctors as inmates . False reporting of people in similar clothing has become a problem in some counties, so many have switched back to using striped uniforms (Mostly Orange and White) due to the unambiguous nature of these garments being associated with inmates . </P> <P> In July 2014, because the popular television program Orange Is the New Black was making the orange jumpsuits in his prison fashionable, Saginaw County, Michigan Sheriff William Federspiel decided to replace them with traditional black - and - white - striped uniforms . </P> <P> Different color designations are commonly used to indicate the status of the inmate . The uniforms may be in plain colors or horizontally striped black or white . </P>

Difference between orange is the new black and real prison