A plan by Dutch justice officials to establish commercial call centres in jails was greeted with disbelief last week. The Dutch Association of Cell Centres deemed the plan "totally unacceptable", in particular if inmates are drafted in to sell insurance policies, such as theft coverage.

A government spokesman has dismissed the criticism and told news agency Reuters that in the Dutch prison system it is normal for prisoners to work part of the day.

Dutch justice officials have already started negotiations with some call centres. Prisons in Nieuwersluis (near Utrecht) and Zwolle have been selected to offer so called dial-a-cell services first. What products and services will be offered is still a matter of debate.

The Dutch Association of Call Centres fears the plan could damage the call centre community and has advised its members not to sign any contracts with prisons.®

Related stories

• Call centre surveillance trained on police (5 June 2006)
• Government minister beats workers with pistol (9 January 2006)
• Michigan PC glitch lets prisoners out early (24 October 2005)
• Looming crisis prompts prison governors' call for electronic tagging (13 October 2005)
• OK to depict call centre workers as chickens (14 September 2005)
• Indian company creates 600 UK jobs (8 September 2005)
• Armed robber's prison suit escapes onto eBay (5 January 2005)