Staff from the US House oversight and judiciary committees have visited the Texas prison where Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, is serving her 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Democratic representatives Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin said the visit to the minimum-security federal prison camp in Bryan on Tuesday aimed to seek answers about Maxwell’s transfer and allegations of preferential treatment.
According to the lawmakers, prison staff provided an extensive tour of the grounds and programming, but Bureau of Prisons (BOP) leadership repeatedly shut down questions about Maxwell’s treatment, allegations of sexual assault at the facility, and retaliation against whistleblowers. The lawmakers expressed serious concerns about the accuracy of information received and said their investigation would continue.
A BOP spokesperson said the agency facilitated an extensive and transparent visit for congressional staff from both parties, addressing each topic to the extent possible. The spokesperson noted that BOP staff cannot comment on ongoing investigations, personnel actions, or litigation, and emphasised that the agency spent hours responding to questions, respecting the role of elected officials overseeing government operations.
Maxwell was transferred to the Bryan camp last summer from a Florida prison, sparking backlash from Democrats who noted that sex offenders are typically placed in low-security prisons, not minimum-security facilities. Garcia told CNN that the warden confirmed Maxwell is the only convicted sex offender among over 600 inmates and could not explain why she was moved. Staff were not granted access to Maxwell during the visit, and Garcia described the facility as a “park-like campus” where Maxwell should not be.
Former deputy attorney general Todd Blanche defended the transfer, citing threats against Maxwell’s safety. The visit follows a November letter from Raskin to Donald Trump detailing whistleblower accusations that Maxwell received custom-prepared meals, a laptop, a puppy, and other favourable treatment, and asking whether the president directed any official to provide such privileges.
