The transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex crimes, to a federal prison camp has raised eyebrows due to the rarity of such a move. Federal prison camps, like the one in Bryan, Texas, typically house women convicted of non-violent, white-collar offences, where inmates live in dormitory-style housing and have relative freedom of movement. It is also highly unusual for inmates with more than a decade left on their sentences — as Maxwell does — to be placed in such low-security facilities. Neither the Justice Department nor the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has responded to repeated requests for comment, while Maxwell’s attorney declined to provide further details.
The transfer comes after Maxwell reportedly met for two days with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche under a proffer agreement, a fact that has caught the attention of lawmakers. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat, has formally requested information from the BOP regarding Maxwell’s transfer and the internal processes that led to her reclassification, but his office confirmed Thursday that no additional details have been provided.
Despite her new placement, Maxwell is not expected to enjoy full access to all the opportunities the Bryan prison camp offers. For example, the camp’s work release program, which trains certified nursing assistants through the Southern Careers Institute, excludes inmates with certain types of criminal convictions. Individuals familiar with the program said Maxwell’s charges would make her ineligible.
She is also barred from participating in one of the prison’s most sought-after initiatives — the Canine Companions puppy program. The initiative pairs inmates with service dog trainees for up to 17 months, allowing them to teach the animals basic tasks and provide grooming, exercise, and socialisation. Paige Mazzoni, CEO of Canine Companions, told CNN the program prohibits anyone convicted of crimes against animals or minors, citing the vulnerability of those populations. Maxwell, she said, would therefore not be accepted even if she applied.
Currently, the Bryan camp’s puppy program has seven dogs — Kianda, Lisa VII, Louise V, Mavis IV, Hector VII, and Gator V — cared for by 15 inmate handlers. Other high-profile inmates at the facility, such as Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and reality TV personality Jennifer Shah, are also not part of the program. While Maxwell’s transfer has prompted political and public scrutiny, restrictions tied to her conviction mean her experience at the camp will be far from typical.
