Prisoners turn beauticians

MaLaYSIA: Against a backdrop of razor wire and machine guns, beauty therapists at Malaysia's first "jail spa" quietly tend to their customers under the watchful eye of uniformed wardens.

Despite the tight security, the innovative Balinese-decorated spa is doing a brisk trade while giving inmates at the country's biggest women's prison a trade they can turn to after their release.

"I am not afraid at all because I have faith that these prisoners are well trained to serve the customers and our safety is assured here," said Noor Aliza Osman, 45, who was on her second visit to the spa at Kajang Prison.

"It is comfortable here, the prices are reasonable and I don't have to wait too long to get my hair done like at other salons," said the mother of four who was having her hair coloured with henna by 30-year-old prisoner "Farah".

With her hair neatly tied back and dressed in a loose green jacket and trousers, Farah looked like any other beauty therapist, apart from the prisoner identification number sewn onto her uniform.

"I am very glad to have this chance and I have regular customers here who have been kind enough to ask me to work for them once I am released, as they have become familiar with me," she said with a smile.

Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday, AFP