SKIRMISHER

When traveling in Italy, nothing’s more reassuring than calling the public directory and having a convicted murderer, drug pusher, or thief so nicely assist you. They’d even call you “Ma’am.” Kind, helpful fellows, aren’t they?

But don’t ever serve that sarcastic shit to Telecom Italia, which is convinced there’s nothing funny about its new business; it’s as serious as a frigging heart attack that the company has been “employing” 24 inmates in its call center answering thousands of requests for phone numbers and addresses every day.

“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 1600 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.

…

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.

ITALIAN INMATES MAN CALL CENTRE [The Australian]

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