ROME (Reuters) - The next time you call directory inquiries in Italy, you may speak to a convicted(1) murderer.
罗马(路透社)- 下次到罗马打查号台,您可能碰上一个被判刑的杀人犯为您服务。
Italy's biggest phone operator, Telecom Italia, on Thursday presented its new call-center in Rome's largest prison, where 24 inmates(2) are glued to a computer screen to answer thousands of requests for phone numbers and addresses every day.
"This is a uniqueinitiative(3) in Europe and it helps the detainees(4) get some work experience and prepare for when they'll get out of prison," said Telecom's Chairman Marco Provera as he toured the Rebibbia jail, a huge concrete block housing 1,600 inmates.
"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(5) 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(6) anymore," he told Reuters as he paused before taking another call.
Rebibbia's call-center runs from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. every day except Sundays.
热比比电话中心每天从早八点营业到晚八点,除周日外每天都提供服务。
The detainees get paid 12 cents ($0.15) per call answered and on a normal day each one of them deals with around 200 requests for information.
犯人们每接听一个电话能得到12分(0.15美圆)的报酬。一般每人每天能接到200个信息查询电话。
"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.
Telecom says there is no security risk in having detainees consult a nationwide database of phone numbers and addresses.
意大利电信说让犯人们接触到全国电话号码和地址的数据库并无安全之虞。
The prisoners cannot dial outside the jail and the company's computerized switchboard(7) randomly(8) directs each call to any one of Telecom's 45 call centers 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-center.