Prison spokesperson for the south, Julius Magombo told Zodiak Online on Tuesday that now preparations and renovations are at an advanced stage to turn Thyolo prison into a female reformatory facility for the south.

Magombo said the idea of having the regional all-female prison soon, is in response to the increased population of women in prisons, giving an example of Chichiri which currently has about 46 women and nine children.

Magombo has disclosed that Thyolo prison will have purpose built reformation facilities for women and children's social growth  such as a kindergarten.

"There was a gap in terms of reformation activities to the women. Women prisoners have got their on specific needs for instance they are accompanied by children in prisons," he said.

Meanwhile, Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) executive director, Victor Mhango said the idea offers a good environment for the inmates where access to their needs will be under one roof.

Mhango however, fears that the move will have cost implications on the part of their visiting relatives and police in ferrying them to courts in their respective districts which mostly lead to delayed justice.

"The idea also carries alot of disadvantages; the first one is that, being housed in Thyolo it means all the prisoners from other districts for will be there instance from Nsanje and now access to their relatives will be limited. So this is something we need to consider because the constitution allows them to meet their relatives," Mhango worried.

Currently, Mzuzu prison in the north, Kachere prison in the centre and Mikuyu prison in the astern region are accomodating female inmates.