Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US prison) black or orange canvas sneakers, mandated as part of prison uniform by then NYC Gov. George Pataki (1995-2006).

2011		WNYC 8 Apr. 🌐 ‘They call them the “Air Patakis”, that’s the joke in jail,’ said former inmate John Donadio, explaining the sneakers’ preferred name.
2023		Rayman & Blau Riker’s 215: The only thing is you have Patakis on. Those are the [(authors’ note) black or orange] sneakers. They call them Patakis.