Ghislaine Maxwell's emails from minimum-security jail leaked - amid claims of 'VIP treatment'

Ghislaine Maxwell has said she is "much, much happier" since being moved to a minimum-security prison in Texas, leaked emails reveal.

The messages - which were shared with US politicians - have been exclusively obtained by Sky's US partner NBC News.

Maxwell, a disgraced British socialite and ex-girlfriend of the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.

She was moved days after being interviewed by the Justice Department in July - even though prisoners convicted of sex offences aren't meant to be held in such facilities.

This - along with reported perks such as meals sent to her dormitory room, late-night workouts and permission to shower when other inmates are in bed - have led some critics to claim she is receiving "VIP treatment".

Describing conditions at Federal Prison Camp Bryan, Maxwell wrote to a relative: "The food is legions better, the place is clean, the staff polite... I haven't heard or seen the usual foul language or screaming accompanied by threats levelled by inmates by anyone.

"I have not seen a single fight, drug deal, passed out person or naked inmate running around or several of them congregating in a shower! In other words, I feel like I have dropped through Alice in Wonderland's looking glass."

The 63-year-old contrasted this with FCI Tallahassee in Florida, where she described possums falling from ceilings, frying on ovens, and mingling with food being served.

Some of Maxwell's new inmates have told The Wall Street Journal that they have been threatened with retaliation if they speak about her to the media - with reports suggesting at least one was transferred.

Her lawyer David Oscar Markus told NBC News: "There's nothing journalistic about publishing a prisoner's private emails, including ones with her lawyers. That's tabloid behaviour, not responsible reporting.

"Anyone still interested in that kind of gossip reveals far more about themselves than about Ghislaine. It's time to get over the fact that she is in a safer facility. We should want that for everyone."

Meanwhile, Maxwell's brother Ian said their messages were " private by their very nature" - and if they were sent to a reporter, "they were stolen and leaked without authorisation".

The Justice Department has declined to comment.

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Federal Prison Camp Bryan is located in a residential area, ringed with barbed wire and houses about 635 prisoners - and Maxwell's arrival over the summer sparked protests.

One demonstrator said back in August: "It's brought a lot of attention to our town that we haven't consented for. We don't want a child sex trafficker here."

Last month, the Supreme Court rejected Maxwell's attempts to appeal her sentence - meaning a presidential pardon from Donald Trump is now her best shot at being freed before her projected release date in 2037, when she would be 75 years old.

Mr Trump told reporters at the time that he was planning to speak to the Justice Department and "would have to take a look" at whether he would consider clemency.

Epstein died by suicide while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges back in 2019, but pressure remains on those who had connections to the disgraced financier.

Earlier this week, the US Congress wrote to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - who has now been stripped of his royal titles by the King - requesting an interview about his "long-standing friendship" with Epstein.

Virginia Giuffre, who died in April, accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her after being introduced by Epstein. Andrew has always vehemently denied her accusations.

She alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times - including once at Ghislaine Maxwell's home in London.

(c) Sky News 2025: Ghislaine Maxwell's emails from minimum-security jail leaked - amid claims of 'VIP treatment'