Russia's prison service proposes automated translation of inmates' phone calls

Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service has proposed allowing automated transcription and translation of phone conversations in foreign languages. The change appears in draft calling procedures reviewed by RIA Novosti.

Where the necessary technology is available, an audio recording could be converted into text and a translation of that text used. The proposal covers convicted prisoners and suspects and defendants held in pretrial detention centres, the agency reported. An interpreter is currently brought in for foreign-language conversations.

The draft retains monitoring of calls in pretrial detention by staff and advance notification of all participants. Callers would still need to submit an application to the head of the institution identifying the person they intend to contact.

RIA Novosti reported that staff would be able to end calls involving an unlisted participant, threats, calls to commit crimes or coded communication. Convicted prisoners would retain a limit of 15 minutes, with calls paid for by the prisoner or the person receiving them.