UTAH STATE PRISON — Rob Stilwell, 35, is an information specialist for the Utah Travel Council. His job is to answer phone calls from people all over the world who have questions about what to see in Utah.
Rarely is Stillwell unable to answer a question, which is an outstanding feat considering he doesn't get to see much of Utah himself. Stillwell is an inmate at the Utah State Prison.
For the past two years, the Travel Council has contracted with Utah Correctional Industries to employ inmates as operators and travel guides of sorts. The phone lines are being disconnected Thursday, however, because of recent solicitation problems with other inmates.
"I think it's horrible," Stillwell said. "I think it's a big loss not only for the state but the folks out here. (The job) was designed to help inmates and the state."
The Department of Corrections decided earlier this year to take away all phone jobs after a couple of inmates obtained the names and addresses of young girls and wrote to them.
"One bad apple spoiled the whole cart," said Ross Conner, supervisor of the call center.
Conner said he hadn't had any problems from Stillwell or others who worked for the Travel Council. But hanging up the phone was the only option.
"All of the inmates had to get off the phone," Conner said. "We did a great service for the state of Utah. But for the safety and security of the public, we decided it was best to shut down the operations."
The Travel Council called the problem with the other inmates unfortunate and is sad to see the service shut down.
"The inmates have been providing taxpayers an invaluable service. They've been saving the taxpayers money," said Tracie Cayford, communications director for the Travel Council. "We haven't had problems with any of our inmates."
Cayford said the phone operators for the Travel Council only took incoming calls. They were not allowed to call out.
At one point, the Travel Council had four inmates working as operators. Now only Stillwell is left.
"I'm the last of the Mohicans," Stillwell said.
Stillwell is serving a five-years-to-life prison sentence for sodomy on a child. He began serving his term in 1997 and won't have another hearing on his case until 2002. Stillwell also served time in prison in 1993 for sexual assault.
He said this job may be the best thing that has happened to him. "It has changed my life," Stillwell said.
Stillwell answers an average of 300 phone calls a day. Lately, he said, most callers want to know about fires burning in Utah. But the most common questions concern skiing, the national parks and the Olympics.
But Stillwell said no one seems to be interested in the Olympics scandal.
"People are very understanding. They're not judgmental. I get no calls about the scandal. They just want to know about the venues," Stillwell said.
Then there are always those off-the-wall calls. Stillwell said some of his favorites are callers who want to know if Utah has any alcohol at all and what immunizations they need before entering the state.
Occasionally, Stillwell will get a caller asking him where he is located.
" 'You want the truth?' " Stillwell will ask them. " 'I'm in the prison.' But then they'll tell me I've given them the best information they've had."
So how does Stillwell know so much about the state when he hasn't done any traveling himself in three years? He said he took trips to the mountains every chance he could when he was young. He also receives literature from the AAA and reads the newspaper.
He said when smaller travel agencies around the state call him, he'll quiz them on what's new in their area.
It's that constant contact with people that Stillwell said has changed his outlook on life.
"I really didn't have a good look at my life when I was outside (the prison)," Stillwell said.
Stillwell said the job has taught him important lessons such as the value of service and the virtue of patience.
"People have crazy questions. But if you get mad you lose your job," he said.
Stillwell said the jobs provided by Utah Correctional Industries are valuable not just to inmates but the public as well.
"If inmates don't have skills, they'll recommit crimes and there will be more victims. They need to get skills," Stillwell said.
None of the people who have worked in the phone center for the Travel Council have re-offended since leaving prison.
Stillwell said when he gets out, he will be a changed man. "I don't have a desire to hurt anyone again," he said.
Cayford said Stillwell's service has been invaluable. In other states, callers do not have the option of talking to a live person. She said her office has received postcards from people thanking the Travel Council for Stillwell's help.
"The inmates took their jobs to heart. We're proud of what they've been able to do," Cayford said.
The Travel Council said it will now hire its own operators to answer phones at the Travel Council on a trial basis. If that doesn't work, the Travel Council may be forced to hire a company that specializes in phone service. Spence Kinard, assistant director of the Travel Council, said that would cost an extra $100,000 minimum.
Stillwell, who is working with the prison and Utah State University on his business and accounting degree, said he does not have another job lined up at this time.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com