The name Phoenix Freedom Xpressions may sound exotic for a beauty parlour exclusively for men, but it is a striking name for an enterprise run by trained inmates of a prison.
The beauty parlour, originally conceived as an idea for the correctional services of the authorities of the Central Prison here, became a reality on Wednesday with Director General of Prisons Rishiraj Singh inaugurating the venture. It is manned by 30 inmates who have been trained in beautician skills. A fully air-conditioned beauty parlour started on the prison premises was formally opened at a function in the afternoon.
In his address, Mr. Singh said that correctional services meant for the rehabilitation of jail inmates are part of the duty of the Prisons Department. Job training being offered to the inmates was to help inmates earn a livelihood for normal life after their jail terms, he said.
District Collector P. Bala Kiran and District Police Chief Hari Sankar offered felicitation to the new initiative at the function attended by prison inmates and staff, among others. Jail Deputy Inspector General K. Radhakrishnan, Superintendent Ashokan Arippa, and Rural Development and Self-Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI) Director P.V. Surendran were also present.
The 30 selected inmates of the jail had been given 30-day special training in beautician course by trainers of RUDSETI at Kanhirangad here. They have also been given certificates. The beauty salon for men manned by the trained jail inmates is seen as a novel initiative of the Prisons Department. It will have all facilities for hair-dressing, facials and other cosmetics-related services, jail officials said. The officials also exuded the confidence that the initiative will draw good support from the public. The trained inmates are excited with high hopes about the new venture.
