Miss Criminal 2015

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 Contestants of the Pageant

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Getting ready: An inmate contestant checks her look in the mirror

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Spray away: An inmate contestant has her hair and make-up done

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Inmates at one of Rio de Janeiro's most notorious prisons got glammed up for their annual Miss Criminal 2015 beauty contest, last year  November.

Once notorious for riots and rowdiness, the Talavera Bruce women’s prison was transformed into a stage for the glitzy criminals.

The beauty contest came complete with armed guards, watch towers and barbed wire fences.

And this year's annual pageant was won by Michelle Neri Range – who is serving a 39-year sentence.

The 27-year-old has been behind bars since 2010, when she was sentenced for robbery – with an additional six years added on for prostitution inside the prison.

The jail, inside the sprawling Bangu penitentiary centre, is Brazil's only maximum security prison for women and holds the country's most serious female offenders. 

Aiming to boost the women's self-esteem, the contest is supported by the local community and church.

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WINNER: A woman serving a 39-year sentence for robbery won the crown

The women have their make-up done by volunteers before performing a catwalk in front of the other inmates. There is everything from a ballgown round to a swimsuit competition.

Stepping out: Contestants walk toward the stage

According to Brazil's Ministry of Justice, the number of imprisoned females in the country rose 567% from 2000 to 2014.

test is supported by the local community and church

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