Stephanie F., a 45-year-old woman incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Oregon, found herself at a crossroads five years into her sentence. With her release date still a decade away, she was desperate for a fresh start. That’s when she discovered a cosmetology program at the facility that changed her life.
Partnered with skin therapy company Dermalogica, the program awards graduates a state license in hair, esthetics, and nails, providing them with the skills to practice as estheticians and cosmetologists upon release. Stephanie, now 11 months into the two-year program, is on her way to joining a cohort of 36 graduates, nine of whom have already been released.
The partnership between Dermalogica and Coffee Creek aims to help women coming out of prison secure a livable income and support their families. The program, which involves a 1,835-hour certification program in hair, skin, and nails, provides women with a skillset they can rely on in a growing industry. The professional skin care industry is booming, with the market size expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
However, the program offers more than just job prospects. For the incarcerated women, it provides a sense of humanity that is often lacking in prison. The no-touching rule is bent in the program, allowing women to practice services on each other and even prison staff. This not only improves their skills but also fosters positive interactions and relationships.
For graduates like Stephanie and Sarah, who was released in February 2020, the program has been life-changing. It has provided them with the opportunity to earn a livable wage immediately upon release, giving them a chance to rebuild their lives and support their families. Despite facing challenges like the impact of the pandemic on the beauty industry, these women have found success and fulfillment in their new careers as estheticians.