[In Photos] Miss Penitentiary 2011: Brazilian Prisoners Walk The Ramp

Raira Paixao (C) wins the title of "Miss Penitentiary" after garnering the most votes during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Picture taken August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Inmates of the Women's Prison of Brasilia participate in the third annual "Miss Penitentiary"beauty pageant in Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered for the competition. Photo: Reuters.
Inmates take part in the third annual Miss Penitentiary beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia in Brasilia August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters.
Raira Paixao wins the title of "Miss Penitentiary" after garnering the most votes during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Photo: Reuters.
Inmate Raira Paixao poses as she takes part in the third annual Miss Penitentiary beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia in Brasilia August 9, 2011. Paixao won the title after garnering the most votes. Photo: Reuters.
An inmate of the Women's Prison of Brasilia prepares for the third annual beauty pageant titled Miss Penitentiary, in Brasilia August 3, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of nearly 100 women who entered the competition. The tattoo reads "Deliver me from evil". Photo: Reuters.
Inmates of the Women's Prison of Brasilia prepare for the third annual beauty pageant titled Miss Penitentiary, in Brasilia August 3, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. The sign reads "Beauty Hall". Photo: Reuters.
The painted fingernails of an inmate of the Women's Prison of Brasilia is seen during preparations for the third annual beauty pageant titled Miss Penitentiary, in Brasilia August 3, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Photo: Reuters.
Raira Paixao wins the title of "Miss Penitentiary" after garnering the most votes during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Photo: Reuters.
Finalists of the "Miss Penitentiary" competition parade on the catwalk during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Picture taken August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Raira Paixao (L) receives her crown after winning the title of "Miss Penitentiary" during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. According to a judicial source, Paixao is serving a prison sentence of six years and two months for armed robbery. Picture taken August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Finalists of the "Miss Penitentiary" competition wait for their turn on the catwalk during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Picture taken August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Finalists of the "Miss Penitentiary" competition walk on the catwalk during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. The words on the wall read, "Department of Justice." Picture taken August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Inmates hold their babies as they watch fellow prisoners take part in the third annual Miss Penitentiary beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia in Brasilia August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Inmates of the Women's Prison of Brasilia prepare for the third annual beauty pageant titled Miss Penitentiary, in Brasilia August 3, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. The tattoo on the inmate's arm reads "Deliver me from evil". Photo: Reuters
Finalists of the "Miss Penitentiary" competition parade on the catwalk during the third annual beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Picture taken August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Prisoners react while watching the third annual "Miss Penitentiary" beauty pageant at the Women's Prison of Brasilia August 9, 2011. A modelling agency selected 12 finalists out of the nearly 100 women who entered the competition. Picture taken August 9, 2011. Photo: Reuters

Inside the high-security walls of the Women's Prison of Brasilia, a number of prison inmates were walking the ramp for the 2011 Miss Penitentiary contest.

Over 100 female inmates from several Brazilian prisons participated in the third annual Miss Penitentiary awards, which is judged by a modeling agency. Of those who participated, just 12 were selected for the final and only one inmate took the crown.

Raira Passion was announced the winner for Miss Brasilia Penitentiary 2011 after receiving the highest number of votes out of the 12 selected finalists.

Click "start" to see the female prisoners dressed up in gorgeous gowns and designer heels: