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10/08/2012
MoJ Confirm Plan To Run Call Centres From Prisons
The Guardian has revealed a plan by the Ministry of Justice to set up call centres inside jails, as part of its work programme for prisoners.
Details of the plans emerged after marketing material from an MoJ- supported company, which described the call centre scheme as a "rehabilitation revolution", were passed to the newspaper.
Initially promoted by a company called UrbanData Ltd, the MoJ have said that while that company is no longer involved, after going into liquidation this month, they are still interested in setting up call centres from inside the prison estate as part of their programme for expanding ONE3ONE Solutions, formerly known as the Prison Industries Unit.
In a leaflet sent out to various organisations late last year, UrbanData said it could offer "lower costs and overheads" if businesses signed up.
Advertising the scheme as a "fantastic rehabilitation revolution" the flyer read that prison-run call centres could offer trained operators "with British Regional [sic] accents as an effective alternative to off shoring operations".
A marketing email sent with the flyer confirmed the plans to get prisoners to work manning phones were backed by the government.
"Working in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, we are establishing call centres inside prisons," it said.
"We are training prisoners to become qualified contact centre operators. This gives them employment during their prison term and also prepares them for a more productive life when they return home," the email said.
The Prison Industries Unit which was rebranded as ONE3ONE Solutions after the 131 prisons in the prison estate, has used inmates to make uniforms and office and garden furniture or package headphones for companies such as DHL and Virgin.
However putting call centres inside prisons would be one of the first instances of prisoners serving lengthy sentences coming into direct commercial contact with the public. The idea is already established in the US.
Details of the plans emerged after marketing material from an MoJ- supported company, which described the call centre scheme as a "rehabilitation revolution", were passed to the newspaper.
Initially promoted by a company called UrbanData Ltd, the MoJ have said that while that company is no longer involved, after going into liquidation this month, they are still interested in setting up call centres from inside the prison estate as part of their programme for expanding ONE3ONE Solutions, formerly known as the Prison Industries Unit.
In a leaflet sent out to various organisations late last year, UrbanData said it could offer "lower costs and overheads" if businesses signed up.
Advertising the scheme as a "fantastic rehabilitation revolution" the flyer read that prison-run call centres could offer trained operators "with British Regional [sic] accents as an effective alternative to off shoring operations".
A marketing email sent with the flyer confirmed the plans to get prisoners to work manning phones were backed by the government.
"Working in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, we are establishing call centres inside prisons," it said.
"We are training prisoners to become qualified contact centre operators. This gives them employment during their prison term and also prepares them for a more productive life when they return home," the email said.
The Prison Industries Unit which was rebranded as ONE3ONE Solutions after the 131 prisons in the prison estate, has used inmates to make uniforms and office and garden furniture or package headphones for companies such as DHL and Virgin.
However putting call centres inside prisons would be one of the first instances of prisoners serving lengthy sentences coming into direct commercial contact with the public. The idea is already established in the US.
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DTI report says call centres to create 200,000 jobs
Call centres in the UK are set to increase further according to a new report which predicts that an extra 200,000 workers will be recruited in the industry over the next three years. The Department of Trade And Industry report showed that the industry was “healthy” and had grown by 250% since 1995.
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The independent inspectorate of prisons has criticised some of the living conditions in which dangerous prisoners are being kept in. Chief Inspector Nick Hardwick published his findings in a report after visiting Close Supervision Centres (CSC), which hold about 60 men in eight prisons in England and Wales.
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NTL to axe 1,500 jobs
Cable TV firm NTL has announced that it is to axe 1,500 jobs with the closure of 10 out of its 13 call centres across the UK. The closures, which will take place over the next 18 months, are part of a "business efficiency drive", the company said.
NTL to axe 1,500 jobs
Cable TV firm NTL has announced that it is to axe 1,500 jobs with the closure of 10 out of its 13 call centres across the UK. The closures, which will take place over the next 18 months, are part of a "business efficiency drive", the company said.
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300 New Jobs Announced In Cardiff
A Cardiff-based call centre has announced the creation of 300 new jobs. Firstsource Solutions currently employs 800 people at Cardiff Bay and is to create new sales and customers service jobs in both its inbound and outbound departments. Making the announcement the company said that it is "delighted" to be able to bring new employment to Cardiff.
300 New Jobs Announced In Cardiff
A Cardiff-based call centre has announced the creation of 300 new jobs. Firstsource Solutions currently employs 800 people at Cardiff Bay and is to create new sales and customers service jobs in both its inbound and outbound departments. Making the announcement the company said that it is "delighted" to be able to bring new employment to Cardiff.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, most persistent and occasionally heavy across southern and western counties this afternoon. Risk of low cloud and fog patches affecting the Down coast. Light winds. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south overnight. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
