New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) In a bid to bring down the stress levels among prisoners in Tihar Jail, effective Tuesday authorities allowed inmates to call up their family and friends, if they so wish.

 
 "This is a reformative step and would help the prisoners in remaining calm and composed as regular interactions with their families will lower their stress levels," Tihar Jail spokesman Sunil Gupta told IANS.
 
 According to officials, the initiative was launched in March 2010 but inmates booked under stringent laws like the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) were not allowed the facility.
 
 However, this time, everybody has been included regardless of the crime committed by them, Gupta said, adding adequate safety measures will be taken.
 
 "There will be recording facilities and staff will be deployed at the booths to make sure that the language spoken by a prisoner is easily understood. Other officers will randomly pick up parallel lines to further keep a check on the calls," he said.