HMP Whatton – alongside five other institutions housing paedophiles across Britain – provides a range of “luxuries” for inmates.

Sex offenders holed up at these prisons have access to an on-site bistro, a “hipster-stype” shop for vintage goods and privacy locks in their cells, according to analysis by The Telegraph.

Satisfaction among inmates in sex offender prisons ranks consistently higher than other jails, according to the newspaper.

Campaign groups have lambasted the justice system for giving inmates an “easy ride” compared to their lives on the outside.

At HMP Whatton – home to around 580 paedophiles – convicts with “protected characteristics” such as religion, race or transgender identity can launch their own podcasts on the prison’s very own television and radio channel.

In 2024, officials from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons hailed the initiative as proof of the jail’s “commitment to learning about prisoners’ experiences, raising awareness among their peer group and staff”.

The prison is also involved in a programme run by the Storybook Dads charity which lets paedophiles record bedtime stories for their child relatives with props, such as puppets and toys.

The finished product is “a bit like a CBeebies bedtime story”, according to the charity.

The scheme is in place in around 100 prisons across the country and is open to all inmates regardless of their offence – including rapists and murderers.

However, the prison must first approve they can be in touch with the child and participants must pass meticulous risk assessments, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) insisted.

Inspectors also piled on praise for HMP Whatton’s “excellent” fitness facilities, which includes a well-equipped gym, sports hall and outdoor pitches.

The in-house radio shows include Christmas and New Year’s Eve specials and a request show held every month.

One sex offender told Inside Time – Britain’s national newspaper for inmates – that he was “amazed by all the different shows and diverse music they offer”.

However, another wrote into the newspaper lambasting the lack of variety of television channels on offer, claiming it “can affect our mental health in a negative way”.

The Justice for Victims group, which advocates for victims of crime and their families being given more weight in sentencing, hit out at the cushy conditions.

The organisation said: “They are serving time for some of the most heinous crimes as sex offenders they should not have access to what many would consider luxuries.

“Far too often, victims and their families feel let down by the justice system.

“This is just another example of offenders being given an easy ride.

“Of course it’s important that consideration is given to rehabilitation, but taxpayers’ money should not be spent on making their time an enjoyable experience.”

Meanwhile, TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign manager William Yarwood fumed: “Taxpayers will be absolutely appalled to see the ‘cushy’ conditions being provided to sex offenders at their expense.

“Prison is intended to be a deterrent and a place of punishment, not a paedo paradise with podcasting studios and private entertainment.

“The Ministry of Justice needs to wake up, strip back these perks and remember that their first duty is the security of law-abiding Britons, not the comfort of convicts.”