However the move has enraged inmates, who believe he should be staying in Wakefield, which houses some of Britain’s most infamous criminals including April Jones’s killer Mark Bridger.
Former Long Lartin lifer Michael O’Brien, who served 11 years there after being wrongly convicted of murder, says Watkins’ presence will enrage prisoners.
He said: “There could be kids in that room and that would be a big concern.
'Someone there will want to try to make a name for himself'
“Other inmates will object if their kids are in there, I can’t see them being happy with that.
“Someone there will want to try to make a name for himself. They will try to kill him.
"Even prisoners have some morals. If you mess with kids that is it.”
Watkins was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court last month for 29 years, with a further six years on licence, but is now appealing against the length of that sentence.
He pleaded guilty to 13 offences including two counts of attempted baby rape.