Hello, murderer speaking! | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Hello, murderer speaking!

None | ByReuters, Rome
Jul 31, 2006 03:19 PM IST

The next time you call directory enquiries in Italy, you may speak to a convicted murderer. Italy's biggest phone operator presented its new call-centre in Rome's largest prison, where 24 inmates are glued to a computer screen to answer thousands of requests for phone numbers and addresses.

The next time you call directory enquiries in Italy, you may speak to a convicted murderer.

HT Image
HT Image

Italy's biggest phone operator, Telecom Italia, on Thursday presented its new call-centre in Rome's largest prison, where 24 inmates are glued to a computer screen to answer thousands of requests for phone numbers and addresses every day.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"This is a unique initiative in Europe and it helps the detainees get some work experience and prepare for when they'll get out of prison," said Telecom's Chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera as he toured the Rebibbia jail, a huge concrete block housing 1,600 inmates on the northern outskirts of Rome.

"Good afternoon, this is Gianluca speaking, how can I help you? Thank you for calling Telecom Italia," said Gianluca Descenzo, who is serving a 13-year sentence for a drug-related murder, politely answering the umpteenth call of the day.

"It's good because people don't know who we are, so we don't feel like we are in a ghetto anymore," he told Reuters as he paused before taking another call.

Rebibbia's call-centre follows a similar Telecom operation in Milan's San Vittore jail and runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Sundays.

The detainees get paid 12 cents (8 pence) per call answered and on a normal day each one of them deals with around 200 requests for information.

"Jails should not only be a place for punishment. They need not be a permanent hell, they must also give opportunities to people," said Justice Minister Clemente Mastella as he visited the call-centre.

Telecom says there is no security risk in having detainees consult a nation-wide database of phone numbers and addresses.

The prisoners cannot dial outside the jail and the company's computerised switchboard randomly directs each call to any one of Telecom's 45 call centres scattered across Italy.

"This may seem like a boring routine job, but for people who would otherwise spend the day sitting in our cells and doing nothing, it actually gives a sense to your life," said 34-year old Salvatore Striano, who has been convicted for Mafia crimes and also works in the call-centre.

"It allows us to have some contact with the outside world. And it also makes you feel like you're being useful. People often need the address of a hospital or a pharmacy. Sometimes they'll ask the weirdest questions, like what day is it today or my dog is sick, what should I do?".

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On