Staff from the US House oversight and judiciary committees visited the Texas prison where Ghislaine Maxwell is serving her sentence, Democratic lawmakers said. The visit aimed to investigate allegations that Maxwell, a longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has received preferential treatment at the minimum-security federal prison camp in Bryan.
Democratic Representatives Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin stated that prison staff provided an extensive tour of the facility. However, they claimed that Bureau of Prisons (BOP) leadership repeatedly shut down questions or could not provide basic information 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 a transparent visit and addressed each topic to the extent possible, but could not comment on ongoing investigations or personnel actions. The BOP acknowledged the importance of transparency and committed to working with Congress.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme. She was transferred from a Florida prison to the Bryan camp last summer, about a week after being interviewed by then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. The transfer sparked backlash from Democrats, who noted that convicted sex offenders are typically placed in low-security prisons, not minimum-security facilities.
Garcia told CNN that the prison warden said Maxwell is the only convicted sex offender among the 600-plus inmates and could not explain why she was moved there. Garcia added that staff were not granted access to Maxwell. Blanche defended the transfer, citing safety concerns due to threats against her. The visit follows a November letter from Raskin to President Trump, alleging favorable treatment for Maxwell, including custom-prepared meals and permission for guests to bring computers.
