LifeWomenDrugsBolivia

Women Learn Flamenco In Bolivian Prison (VIDEO)

WATCH: Women Learn Flamenco In Bolivian Prison
The Huffington Post UK
|

These ladies may not be appearing on Strictly Come Dancing anytime soon or wearing fancy frocks, but an initiative to teach women flamenco dancing in La Paz prison in Bolivia is proving highly effective. The women - most of whom are in there for drugs or alcohol offenses, find the dance lessons give them 'harmony'.

Famous dancer Francisco Suarez is teaching them how to dance and how to get their lives back on track. One prisoner said: "Normally I wanted to get high instead of being here but I prefer to stay because I feel...calm."

Interestingly, despite prison tours technically being illegal, hundreds of tourists still take them.

A look into Italian inmates creating fashion from HuffPost US:

Italy's Inmates Escape Through Fashion
(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
A handbag being made is displayed on May 22, 2013 at a workshop of Rebibbia prison in Rome. Women's prison workshops across Italy are joining up under a new commercial fashion brand they hope will help encourage more detainees to learn the trade and give them hope for a future on the outside. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
Nigerian detainee Kalu Uwaezuoke Chinedum Ike works on handbags on May 22, 2013, inside a workshop of the Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
This picture shows the outside of Rebibbia prison in Rome on May 22, 2013. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Nigerian detainee Kalu Uwaezuoke Chinedum Ike (2nd L) listens to explanations from a mentor as she works on handbags on May 22, 2013, inside a workshop of the Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
A surveillance camera is setup near near a graffiti reading 'It will leave more doubt than certainty' on May 22, 2013 at a workshop of Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Nigerian detainee Kalu Uwaezuoke Chinedum Ike works on handbags on May 22, 2013, inside a workshop of the Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Nigerian detainee Kalu Uwaezuoke Chinedum Ike works on handbags on May 22, 2013, inside a workshop of the Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
A detainee works on a handbag on May 22, 2013 at a workshop of Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Nigerian detainee Kalu Uwaezuoke Chinedum Ike works on handbags on May 22, 2013 at a workshop of Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
A prison officer stands guard as Nigerian detainee Kalu Uwaezuoke Chinedum Ike (Center R) works on handbags on May 22, 2013, inside a workshop of the Rebibbia prison in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Related

WomenDrugsBoliviauk lifestyle newsfemale prisoners
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip