Female inmates pose in evening gowns during their jail's annual beauty contest at the Talavera Bruce penitentiary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Female inmates compete in their jail's annual beauty contest at Talavera Bruce penitentiary in Brazil. Jail authorities say they organize the contest to encourage self-esteem, fight idleness and promote integration. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Female inmate Mayana Rosa Alves, right, celebrates winning the title "Miss Talavera Bruce" next to last year's winner Michelle Rangel during the annual event at Talavera Bruce penitentiary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) A tattoo of a weapon covers the arm of a female inmate waiting to compete in the annual beauty contest at Talavera Bruce penitentiary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Women serving time at a prison in Rio de Janeiro have swapped their uniforms for gowns to take part in a beauty pageant.
After having their hair and makeup done, 10 inmates from the Talavera Bruce detention facility walked down a catwalk in heels and were judged on their beauty, appeal and attitude as the prison's other 440 inmates and relatives applauded.
Wednesday's event aims to improve the women's self-esteem and is an opportunity to unite with family members they seldom see.
"During this moment, I don't feel like I am in jail," said 28-year-old Michelle Rangel who is serving time for drug trafficking and was elected last year's pageant winner. "My soul is freed."