Tihar jail inmates softening hard-knock life with 'touch ups'

It's not all dun and drab inside Tihar central jail where women inmates are running a beauty parlour to give their jailmates a fragrant, spruced up alter-life, and sometimes dressing professional models with clothes stitched by them.

These inmates lodged in Central Jail No 6 in Tihar are making great strides towards a normal life undertaking new enterprises such as making pickle, designing, weaving, and enrolling in a beauty course.

The training aims to give the inmates a chance to embark on a life of dignity and independence once they are out of prison.

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According to jail officials, the inmates – undertrials and convicts – are being trained by an academy to design fashionable clothes with offer of a certificate on completion of their course.

Models from across the world recently came to meet these women and walked the ramp wearing clothes stitched by them at a fashion show held inside the jail.

A murder case undertrial said she was taught all kinds of stitching and embroidery by trainers from Pearl academy. She hopes to put her newly honed skills to earn a living once she's out of jail.

Just like her, around 100 female inmates are being trained at the handloom unit of Tihar Jail where they are trained in making towels, sarees, and dresses.

A murder convict, inside Tihar for the last nine years, said working at the handloom keeps her busy and fills her with hopes of a good life.

Sanjay Beniwal, Director General (Delhi Prisons), said it is very important to engage inmates in something positive and productive.

The new beauty parlour in Tihar jail no 6 which is run by the women inmates trained by Habib's is a well-furnished room plastered with photos of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. There is a big mirror on one of the walls and wooden chairs for waiting customers.

It is not unusual for many of these women inmates to pay a visit to the parlour for a touch up every time a relatives comes to meet them, or even ahead of a court hearing.

An inmate who works at the parlour said she knew some beauty hacks but after being trained here, she feels like a professional and loves her work.

Inmates working at the parlour are paid wages for their work. At present, inmates are put under three categories - skilled, semiskilled and unskilled work, said a jail official.

Jail superintendent Krishna Sharma said the inmates are getting the training as part of the rehabilitation programme.

"In the last 1 year alone, more than 300 female inmates have benefitted from this programme. Its difficult for women to get back to their families as no body accepts them. The training allows them to not be dependent on anyone," she said.

Inmates are also being trained in making various kinds of pickles and bakery items at jail units which operate from 9 am till 5 pm Monday to Saturday.