New Delhi: Tihar jail has finally decided to allow women convicts to work outside the high-security walls of Asia's biggest prison as part of its "open-jail" rehab policy after getting the go-ahead from the Delhi government, sources said.

The move came after Delhi High Court pulled up the jail authorities last week for discriminating against women convicts as a similar facility had been provided to male inmates three years ago.

"Delhi High Court has asked the jail authorities to issue a notification soon and allow women convicts to work outside the confines of the jail premises. It's a good news that open jail facility will now be extended to women convicts too," Sunil Gupta, a former Tihar law officer who had moved a public interest plea asking that the jail authorities should end discrimination against women, said.

Gupta had argued that the discrimination violated the fundamental right of equality of women prisoners lodged in Tihar jail.

Under the open jail rehab scheme, well-behaved male convicts are allowed to work outside the Tihar complex. They are allowed to step outside the prison walls for a stipulated period and have to return to their cells by 5pm.

The scheme, however, does not cover those convicted of offences against the state and undertrials, who account for 76 per cent of the jail's 15,000 inmates. Some 30 per cent of the women inmates are convicts.

Undertrials are only allowed to work in the jail factory or bakery.

Many women prisoners have completed beautician courses under trained professionals and want to work outside. Some of them work in the beauty parlour inside the jail complex that has become a hit.

Many of them frequent the parlour before court hearings or meetings with family members.

The parlour, run by inmates who have successfully completed the training programme, offers haircuts, facials, eyebrow-threading, bleaching, pedicures, hair dyeing, head message and spa.

A pedicure costs Rs 30, spa Rs 110, a facial Rs 70, hair-dyeing Rs 30 and eyebrow-threading Rs 25.