Samantha Morton was shocked by the prison conditions she saw while researching a role at Wymott Prison in Preston because it contrasted so much to her experience while growing up in care.

Samantha visited the prison while preparing to plan Myra Hindley in forthcoming drama Longford and was surprised to seeing in a new wing of the prison “each room had portable tellys (and) Sky TV” and the kitchens were “amazing”.

“Other prisoners get treated abominably but this new wing was totally fantastic with all mod cons.”

“I said, ‘Who are they?’ and they said, ‘Oh they’re the paedophiles.’ I felt cold all over.”

“I spent my whole life in care until I was 16. The way they treat children’s homes is appalling, yet these paedophiles have Sky telly. That shocked me.”