Since it was launched earlier this year, the hairdressing certification programme for female inmates at Fairbanks Prison has reportedly been very successful.

Speaking about how the women have taken to the initiative Dwight Scott Director of prisons said he was impressed with the way the women have handled themselves with the new programmes.

"They have exceeded our expectations by learning valuable skills in a short time, showing their real potential," he added.

Having learned the basic principles of salon work, the next step for the women is an intensive course offered by world-renowned hair designer Harold Torain, who successfully runs a hairdressing business in the US.

The expert arrives on Saturday 16 September and will be here for a week, teaching the inmates a new hair-weaving technique known as "fusion."

After completing the course, inmates will receive certification, with which they can seek employment upon release.

Mr Torain's course will supplement the existing hairdressing programme, said Yvrose Barton, the cosmetology tutor.

Importantly, it will give inmates whose sentence may be completed before next year's certification, a certificate of participation.

Those women not participating in the hairdressing programme are however, contributing to the prison in other ways, by occupying their time with self-developed activities. An exceptional case is one in which a prisoner has made more than 80 handbags, all of which have original, creative designs.

Diane Watson said her inspiration for the designs has taken her through hard times.

"Once I start with the needle and thread, my hands just guide me to the finished product. My time has been well spent and I don't regret any of it," she said.

Additionally, the prison Acting Education and Development Coordinator Natalie Joseph-Caesar reports that inmates continue to progress with the sewing and quilting programmes. They have successfully sewn their uniforms, curtains for both of Fairbanks' classrooms and everyday clothes for themselves.

"By making an effort, the inmates will achieve their goals and make something of themselves when they are released," said Ms Joseph-Caesar. "These programmes have increased their self-esteem and allowed them to strive for the best, making the most out of their time in prison."

To find out more about Fairbanks' success with vocational programmes, watch Spotlight, the new television programme produced by Government Information Services. The show airs Mondays at 6:30 p.m. on Cayman 27, and again on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Island 24.