Ghislaine Maxwell, the former socialite and convicted sex trafficker, caused a lockdown at a federal prison in Texas after claiming a fellow inmate stole her sweater. The incident, which occurred in February, resulted in hundreds of prisoners being confined to their dorms for several hours while guards searched the facility.
Details of the Incident
According to the Daily Mail, Maxwell reported that her favorite zip-up fleece, purchased for $30 at the prison commissary, had been taken. The allegation prompted an immediate lockdown at FPC Bryan, a minimum-security facility. A source revealed that the sweater was later found by one of Maxwell's friends, who had picked it up from a bench but had not yet returned it.
“Max was saying she had her ID badge and important papers in the pockets. But nobody had stolen anything. This lady had picked it up to give it back to her,” the source said. The lockdown lasted four to five hours despite the innocent mistake.
Prison Conditions and Allegations of Favoritism
The Federal Bureau of Prisons stated that staff are prohibited from providing preferential treatment to any inmate. Spokesman Donald Murphy emphasized that any deviation undermines public trust and could lead to disciplinary actions. However, sources claim Maxwell receives special privileges, such as sunbathing and using a typewriter in her room, which are not allowed for other inmates.
“It’s one rule for the prison queen and another for everyone else,” a source said. Maxwell shares her living space with only one other person, using the extra space for her typewriter, which she uses to write a book she believes will exonerate her.
Maxwell's Legal Status and Appeal
Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison on June 28, 2022, for sex trafficking minors and conspiracy. The Supreme Court rejected her appeal in October 2025. However, some Republican members of the U.S. House Oversight Committee have considered a presidential pardon in exchange for information about Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell refused to answer substantive questions during a February hearing, invoking her Fifth Amendment rights.
Her scheduled release date is July 17, 2037.
