All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through links in this article.
But she returned to a much different world than the one she was wrongfully pulled from.
Allure/Channing Smith
She went to the supermarket and bought somehair dye.
Others, like Dorotik, aren’t allowed to get an appointment.
“To get something as simple as toenail clippers was almost impossible,” Dorotik says.
Zakelia S.
“It was so unnecessary, and yet, so completely upheld.”
The CIW representative showedAllurea copy of items currently available at its commissary.
This is simply a human rights issue."
Danielle Metz
Similarly, these days she likes to spend time trying out beauty products from hair dye to face creams.
It’s a small, but meaningful, reminder of liberation.
She posts about her experience at @prisonbaeeon TikTok and @theonlybaeeeon Instagram.
Danielle Metz
Zakelia is 28 years old and works as a hairstylist.
People in prison cut our hair off a lot.
I did more braiding for people,braidingand locs.
It’s easy to maintain.
I would restart people’s locs for them, or retwist them, or braid them.
In the store, they only have this little, short, three-inch black comb.
Sometimes I used a pen to part hair.
In prison all they have is that Ampro Pro Styl gel.
We couldn’t havesteel combsin prison, so I remember getting a good comb.
Finally, I could part my hair really well.
I got lash extensions, too.
Now I have my own identity.
Andrea C. James
I don’t look like a prisoner.
I don’t look like someone who’s limited to just a small portion of anything.
Prison takes your whole identity from you.
Tanya Smith
You want to keep that freedom, so you’re able to always express yourself.
She served 23 years at the Federal Prison in Dublin, CA, before President Barack Obamagranted her clemency.
In prison, I made sure to useVaselinefor my face and, when available,Palmer’s Cocoa Butter.
After so many years, you find ways to stockpile the good body washes.
None of these were available in the commissary.
These women would make a little money selling these products to the rest of us.
A bottle ofInfusium shampooor conditioner would sell for $40.
I still use all these items now that I’m at home.
Andrea C. James
When you’re first placed in a federal prison, you have absolutely nothing.
Tanya Smith
By the time I was able to get myself together, my naturally thick andwavyhair was absolutely destroyed.
It was dry and brittle with split ends, just gross.
None of the hair products sold in the commissary helped.
She literally mixed cheap honey and instant coffee that was available and applied it to my hair.
Talk about a hair-saving grace.
It kept my hairmoisturized, stopped the breakage, and my hair grew longer than it ever had.
Nowadays, companies make big money on this concept.
We didn’t have access to the fancy stuff and made our own.
I also useCetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.
Smith is currently 59 years old.
A representative for Alderson did not respond to a request for comment.
Alderson didn’t offer many options.
Basic soap and water were the norms for a number of uses.
Once released, I started using Proactiv to helpclear my skin.
I know that sounds like a lot, but it helps with breakout and keeping my skin hydrated.
Read more about human rights:
Don’t forget to followAllureonInstagramandTwitter.
