Mississippi women’s prison opens first nail technician training program

The Mississippi Department of Corrections has opened the first nail program in the state prison system, giving women incarcerated at the Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women an opportunity to train as licensed nail technicians.

The Central Mississippi Beauty College at MCIW is certified through the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. The program’s grand opening was held on the grounds of the Rankin County prison.

“Dreams come true, and this is one of them,” Commissioner Burl Cain said at the opening.

The school has been in development for two years, Superintendent Kate Head said. The prison held 945 women on Thursday.

“Today is about much more than a new school,” Head said. “When I stepped into this role, one of the things that was important to me was making sure the women at MCIW had opportunities to learn, to grow, and to do something that they didn’t have when they came here.”

The first class includes 16 students and two student instructors, with Terrica Knight Hatten serving as instructor. Students will complete 500 hours of instruction over roughly 17 to 18 weeks, according to Hatten.

Source: Mississippi Department of Corrections.