Prisoners Turn beauticians: This prison will open a beauty salon for public.

Inmates of one of the oldest prison in Kerala, Poojappura Central Prison will soon turn into beauticians.

This initiative is a part of a rehabilitation programme run by state prison department for prisoners.

Poojappura prison known for its unique and successful initiatives ranging from garment making to food business and now to a beauty salon where people can avail quality beauty services at low prices says jail superintendent S Santosh.

An unused old quarters building, located near the jail, would be given a facelift and turned into an air-conditioned and well-furnished parlour, exclusively for men, he said.

“We are planning to open the saloon by April-May. Training for inmates in this regard will begin soon. The instructors from two polytechnics in the city will impart training in the beautification course,” Santhosh told PTI.

“In the initial phase, at least 20-25 inmates will be given training and employed at the saloon on shifts. We have given priority to those who have some knowledge in basic beautification skills like hair cutting, shaving, beard grooming and so on,” he said.

“Public can avail all cosmetics-related services offered in ordinary parlours, ranging from hair cut, hair wash, hair dyeing, shaving and spa to facial, pedicure and manicure at the ‘jail saloon,” he said.

“We are also planning to open a separate wing for senior citizens at the parlour.Old persons, who are suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes, will get special care and services like pedicure, manicure and foot massage by our trained inmates,” he said.

Santhosh also said the saloon initiative is part of a number of rehabilitation programmes and correctional measures taken up by the Prison Department. “Beauticians have huge demand outside.It is one of the highly paid jobs now. Due to the shortage of skilled beauticians, migrant labourers from other states are now employed in many of our parlours.So, our trained inmates will surely get a job when they go out of prison, after completing their tenure,” the official said.

The new beauty salon would be the second such beauty parlour run by prison inmates in the state, after the ‘Phoenix Freedom Xpressions’ which opened recently at the central prison in Kannur.