Elizabeth Smart condemns 'country club' prison treatment for Ghislaine Maxwell
Survivor and child-safety advocate calls reports of privileged conditions at a Texas prison where Maxwell is housed 'sickening' and highlights victims' needs.
Elizabeth Smart blasted reports that Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving preferential treatment at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Bryan, Texas, calling the idea of a "country club" prison environment "sick" and "horrific." "When I hear that Ghislaine's in the country club of prisons, it makes me sick to my stomach," Smart told Fox News Digital. "How could she betray other women like that? How could she stand aside and watch young girls be abused — and be OK with it? It’s disgusting." Smart, a kidnapping survivor who has become a child-safety advocate and author, said the case echoes the trauma she endured and underscored the broader harm of trafficking and exploitation.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Maxwell's fellow inmates were warned not to discuss her case with reporters. Bryan is a minimum-security facility with 622 inmates. Maxwell arrived at the facility last summer after meeting with federal prosecutors, before the Supreme Court denied her appeal. Sam Mangel, a federal prison consultant, told Fox News Digital that some observers described Maxwell as being treated more like a guest than a inmate, including a private visit in the chapel while others were kept out of sight. "Speaking with the sister of one of my clients yesterday or the day before, she told me that they are treating Maxwell more like she's the guest in a hotel as opposed to an inmate," Mangel said. "That’s very unusual." The Journal notes that one inmate who spoke to a reporter was later transferred to a higher-security prison, and it is uncommon for someone convicted of sex crimes to be housed at Bryan.
Maxwell was moved from a federal prison in Florida to Bryan after meeting with prosecutors, a move that occurred before the Supreme Court denied her appeal. Maxwell is eligible for release in 2037 after serving a 20-year sentence for procuring girls for Epstein, who was found dead in a federal jail in New York City before his trial. A spokesperson for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Maxwell recently asked a federal judge to vacate her sex-trafficking conviction, arguing there was substantial new evidence indicating constitutional violations tainted her trial.
Elizabeth Smart, a long-time advocate for child safety and founder of The Elizabeth Smart Foundation, tied Maxwell’s alleged conduct to patterns she has confronted in her own life. "The whole situation is horrific, nightmarish and hellish — the way [Epstein and Maxwell] preyed on vulnerable girls," Smart said. "And this woman facilitated the rape and abuse of so many girls." Smart also drew parallels between Maxwell’s case and her own kidnapping, emphasizing that predators exploit vulnerability and that victims deserve support, not blame. She added that she would welcome an opportunity to meet with any of Epstein’s victims, to reinforce that the blame lies with perpetrators, not survivors.
In recent months, Smart has described how trauma can shape a survivor’s life and recovery. Her new book, Detours: Hope & Growth After Life’s Hardest Truths, is out now and reflects on resilience after abuse. The work underscores her ongoing mission to prevent exploitation and to bolster resources for survivors.
The Maxwell case continues to unfold as she seeks to overturn aspects of her conviction. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for procuring underage girls for Epstein and remains behind bars while pursuing court challenges. The Bureau of Prisons did not provide a comment in response to inquiries about the conditions at Bryan or the reporting surrounding Maxwell’s accommodations. The controversy has amplified debates about how high-profile sex-crime cases are handled inside the federal prison system.
Elizabeth Smart has previously called for accountability for those who enable abuse and has urged society to support victims rather than stigmatize them. Her advocacy and writing are part of a broader public conversation about child safety, trauma recovery, and the importance of safeguarding measures in schools and communities. As Maxwell’s legal proceedings continue, Smart’s remarks underscore the ongoing sensitivity around the treatment of offenders with histories of sex crimes and the corresponding impact on survivors and their families.
Elizabeth Smart also emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and support for victims as the public watches high-profile cases unfold. Her public comments come amid broader discussions about prison policies, transparency, and the role of media in reporting sensitive details about inmates in high-profile criminal cases.
