In a bid to help prisoners lead a meaningful life and better integrate into society after their release, Cherlapally Central Jail here will set up a first-of-its kind business process outsourcing (BPO) centre.

"The BPO, to be operational from the prison, is all set to take off in next two-three months," Director-General of Prisons (Andhra Pradesh) CN Gopinath Reddy said here today.

The BPO would be manned by educated convicts serving out their terms. Bangalore-based Radiant Info Systems, which is setting up the centre, today initiated the training process for some of the prisoners.

"A total of 13 inmates, nine of them graduates, will be trained, who in turn will train other inmates," Reddy said.

According to Radiant Info director C Narayanacharyulu, it will be a 75-seater BPO unit, working in three shifts.

Reddy said the jail authorities will use the computer skills available with some of their prisoners.

"We have got so many computer literates and professionals in our prison. So far they were not duly recognised, now we are going to recognise them and their knowledge will be utilised for the nation and the other thing is that when they go out they can also lead a meaningful life," he said.

He said initially around 300 inmates will be trained in a phased manner and TCS will be supplying the required systems, he said.