CORNWALL IS 2005 MISS WOMEN’S PRISON

Second was Miss Alaska Sophia Short who won "Miss Photogenic" and "Best Gown" with her Eskimo-like appearance. Third was Miss Guyana, Debbie Parks, fourth was South African Marion Vansrensburgh and fifth Miss Jamaica, Rosemarie Coward.

The show titled "Metamorphosis" is part of the programme of rehabilitation and training at the Women’s Prison. All the gowns worn by the contestants were designed and created by themselves or other female inmates under the guidance of Officer Rebecca Prince-Bishop who is in charge of the sewing programme. The women have been taught dressmaking, tailoring and home d?cor among the numerous technical and academic programmes available to them.

Head of the Women’s Prison Esther Knights, recalled the shows of the past Miss Emancipation and Miss Indian Arrival which she asserted were comparable to any one of the shows outside the prison walls for their high standard, though time-consuming. The Miss Women’s Prison pageant she said, represents the metamorphosis that "will transform the lives of the women, build self-esteem, confidence and pride in them and also showcase the magnitude of talent available at Golden Grove."

The show was judged by a panel that included Lucia Eligon of Sacha Cosmetics and Shiva Gobin of Ultimate Agencies. Pennywise Cosmetics Limited and Paint Masters were among the sponsors of the programme. Guest artistes were Cro Cro, who delighted the inmates and gave them a hint of things to come at the Independence Calypso competition and, Johnny King who sang some of his popular songs of the past.

Attending the show was Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds; Inspector of Prisons, Bernard Shepherd; Assistant Commissioner Martin Martinez and Superintendent of Golden Grove Prison Rajkumar Harrinarine.

The programme was produced by the Cultural Committee of the Women’s Prison which comprises a group of female officers headed by Knights.