"They will be employable anywhere in the world [when they are released]," said Mercedes Worthy, the cosmetology instructor who oversees the program at Metro State Prison.  "They [will] have a skill that will allow them to earn an honest income."

The program, which is also in operation at Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville and Washington State Prison in Davisboro, opens doors for the women when they re-enter the community, Worthy said.  With their cosmetology licenses, the women will be able to work in a salon or even start their own business, she said.

While the program has been in existence for years, it is only recently that the participants have been able to obtain their cosmetology licenses from the state Board of Cosmetology on a probationary basis, Worthy explained.  At the end of last year, a state representative pushed the state board of cosmetology to begin issuing probationary licenses to offenders, she said.

According to Worthy, the women are now able to take the state cosmetology exam while they are still incarcerated. 

"Once you have completed all of the studies and completed the practical work, you are eligible to apply to go to the state boards," said Worthy, noting that the exam has both a written and a practical portion.  "They actually have to demonstrate the skills they have mastered."

The program, which takes two to three years to complete, prepares the women to take that exam, by giving them the 1500 of instruction the board requires in order for them to sit for the exam.

According to Worthy, the women initially receive 250 hours of instruction in cosmetology theory, covering topics like the history of cosmetology, sanitation, infection control, anatomy, physiology and chemistry.  They also discuss hair, skin and nail care, she said.

After the women learn about the nuts and bolts of cosmetology, they spend the remainder of the program doing practical work, but still continue to study some theory.

The female offenders at Metro State Prison attend the program four days a week, from 7:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m.  During the morning hours, the women practice their styling techniques on other inmates.

"They are actually providing hair services and operating as a salon at that point," Worthy said, noting that each offender-stylist has one appointment per hour.

The inmates who are not in the program, but make appointments at the salon, can receive a variety of services, including hair cuts, press and curls, shampoo and styles and chemical treatments like, relaxers.  Most services, except those involving chemicals, are free, Worthy said.

The offenders working in the salon each have their own workstation, which includes a chair, a mirror and tools, Worthy said.  The fact that the inmates are using scissors and other sharp objects is not a security concern, she explained.

"I let them know what my expectations are and what the rules are.  They know that you can not have a violent nature or a violent attitude and remain in the program," Worthy said.  "They know the consequences of misusing those tools," she added.  "These ladies really want to be here.  They enjoy coming here so they don't want to jeopardize their detail."

While the offenders are working on their clients, Worthy and some of her assistants - students who have completed the program - walk around to assist them.  After all of the appointments have been seen during the morning, the women learn more about cosmetology theory in the afternoon.

Worthy said that she has the inmates watch videos during the afternoon session and she occasionally brings in vendors to lecture about various products.  All of this education prepares the female offenders for the board's licensing test. 

If the offenders pass the exam, they are issued a probationary license until they have completed all of their legal obligations, such as probation or parole, Worthy said.  Although the license has been deemed probationary, she said that she believes the women will still be able to get jobs.

"I am just glad that they are allowing them to even go [take the exam], so, if it's on a probationary period, that is better than nothing at all," Worthy said. 

Currently, Worthy said she has a handful of students who are waiting for word from the state board as to when they can appear for their exams.  She said she believes obtaining their probationary licenses will give these women a shot at making it in the community when they are released from prison.

"[They] can walk into a salon and go to work," Worthy said.  "I think it opens them up to a lot of other options - a lot of other opportunities that they would not have had without it."