Miss Gulag 11 March 2008 1900 GMT on BBC Two

In Prison UF 91-9 in Siberia, participating in a beauty pageant can open the gates to freedom.

It is a way for the female inmates to demonstrate good behaviour, which can help them win early parole.

"We wanted to find ways to occupy convicts' free time," says Natalya Baulina, the prison's administrative head. "This contest gives prisoners an opportunity to feel like women, to dress up, put on makeup, and imagine they're connected to Russia's new freedom."

The annual contest has themes like "Greek Goddesses," "Flower Gowns," and "Imaginary Uniforms," for which inmates design their ideal prison uniforms of the future.

The winner is crowned Miss Spring.

Harsh environment

There are more than 1000 female inmates serving time at the all-women's prison - 20 miles away from the Siberian capital of Novosibirsk - for everything from drug possession to murder.

Contact with family members is restricted and only after two months can inmates and relatives converse via telephone through the prison glass.

This World offers a unique insight into life inside a women's prison in one of the world's harshest environments.

Life outside

Natasha Patalakhova has found life difficult since leaving prison

It is not just inside prison where life is tough - even after release, things do not get much easier.

Natasha Patalakhova, 29, served eight years for armed assault and directed the pageant when she was in prison. Her involvement helped her secure an early release.

The government has refused to replace her lost passport because of her conviction, and without it, she has been unable to travel or apply for a job.

But as she returns to the prison on contest day she is greeted like a superstar to hoots and cheers.

"I told them they could have a fresh beginning," says Patalakhova. "I told them to forgive each other, help each other, and strive to get home. What else could I say?"

Director: Maria Yatskova
Producers: Raphaela Neihausen and Irina Vodar
Producer BBC: Olly Bootle
Executive Producer BBC: Louise Norman