The ball has been set rolling for the maiden BPO at the Cherlapally central prison unit to start operations with prison authorities on Monday starting the `training for trainers' programme. Thirteen prisoners have been handpicked for this one-month training module, and once trained, these inmates will act as trainers to fellow prisoners identified to be part of the ambitious BPO project.

A team of members from Radiant Technologies, which is setting up the BPO unit at the prison premises, will train the first 13 (nine of whom are graduates in various disciplines) in different aspects of handling operations there.

They will be trained in data entry operations and handling of the system.

"We are looking at giving them hands-on training to familiarise them with the entire functioning of a BPO unit," said C N Gopinatha Reddy, DG and IG (Prisons and Correctional Services), Andhra Pradesh.

Though the BPO unit was scheduled to start formal operations from November 1 (after the initial October 2 inauguration date got postponed due to the DG's non-availability at that time), it will take some more time for the BPO unit to start operations in full swing. For now, the identified persons will be trained at the unit.

It is learnt that a 100-odd convicts will be trained over the next couple of months to man the prison BPO in phases. Senior prison officials hinted at the expansion of the current BPO unit to central prisons in other districts of thestate.