Baguio lady inmates open ‘Jail Salon’ to public

BAGUIO CITY – Those who are who are looking for a cheap salon can try the Baguio City Jail Female Dormitory here -- now a beauty parlor and wellness center, dubbed “Jail Salon” that provides good-quality services.

Jail Warden Senior Insp. April Rose Ayangwa said 45 female inmates out of the jail facility’s 114 inmates provide services at the newly-opened spa and salon.

They are the first scholar-graduates of the beauty care and wellness training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Cordillera and are all National Certification 2 (NCII) holders.

Using the small alley leading to the condemned old wooden structure adjacent to the  jail, the BJMP set up the salon and spa – with the permission of the property owner.

That alley accessible to the public is now dubbed the “Jail Salon” which opens Mondays to Fridays at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Warden Ayangwa said all PDLs assigned to the salon are well-trained and accept services at low prices like hair rebonding at P400-P600; body scrub, P250; whole-body massage, P250; foot spa (with pedicure), P200 (P250); hot oil or keratin treatment, P150-P250; blow dry, P30; hair press, P50; cellophane treatment, P200-P300; hair trim, P80; manicure, P50; facial treatment, P200; and pedicure, P50.

Josie, one of the inmates serving a 12-year sentence, said the livelihood opportunity not only keeps them busy but allows them to earn as much as P500 a day to support their families.

Speaking in Filipino, she said that instead of gossiping the idle day away, “this (salon) also helps our health – psychologically and physically.”

Ayangwa, who said the salon made over P11,000 in its first week, believes the program will better prepare inmates for the challenge that awaits them when they get released and become responsible and productive citizens.