Wednesday 29 June 2022 12:06 AM Judge recommends that Ghislaine Maxwell spend 20 years at Connecticut federal ... trends now
Ghislaine Maxwell could spend her 20-year sentence at the Connecticut federal prison that inspired 'Orange Is The New Black' and housed 'Real Housewives' star Teresa Giudice - a far cry from the infamous Metropolitan Detention Center where she's been held since her arrest.
Judge Alison Nathan recommended that Maxwell be sent to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, a low-security facility about 55 miles from New York City.
Ghislaine Maxwell, 60, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday for helping the sex offender and globetrotting financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls, in what a judge called a 'horrific scheme' that inflicted 'incalculable' harm on victims.
The prison has held previous inmates including singer Lauryn Hill, reality TV star Teresa Giudice, and Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black. It is believed Kerman partly based Litchfield Prison in Orange Is the New Black on Danbury.
There is no parole for federal prison, so Maxwell is likely to serve the entire 20-year sentence, but could potentially be released a few years early for good behavior.
After spending nearly two years at the infamous Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, prison experts have said that a stay at Danbury will make her feel like she is in 'Disneyland.'
Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday for helping sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls, in what a judge called a 'horrific scheme' that inflicted 'incalculable' harm on victims
Judge Alison Nathan recommended that Maxwell be sent to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, a low-security facility about 55 miles from New York City
Maxwell is seen in 2005 with Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in jail in July 2019
The facility has a number of cushy programs on offer for inmates, including a 'wide variety of hobby craft and music' as well as circuit training, aerobics, over 50 fitness.
Aerial photos of the prison also boasts a running track, a baseball pitch, and a well manicured lawn with trees and pathways.
It is unclear whether Maxwell would get to take part in any of the amenities depending on the level of security she would need.
The British socialite was convicted in December of five charges, including sex trafficking a minor, for recruiting and grooming four girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein, then her boyfriend, between 1994 and 2004.
Speaking at her sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court before learning the sentence, Maxwell called Epstein a 'manipulative, cunning and controlling man' who fooled everyone in his orbit.
She said she was 'sorry' for the pain that his victims experienced. 'It is the greatest regret of my life that I ever met Jeffrey Epstein,' Maxwell said.
Danbury federal correctional institution, which opened in August 1940, has held previous inmates including singer Lauryn Hill, reality TV star Teresa Giudice, and is thought to be the inspiration for the Netflix show 'Orange is the New Black'
Aerial photos show the prison also boasts a running track, a baseball pitch, and a well manicured lawn with trees and pathways
Inmates at Danbury are offered a 'wide variety of hobby craft and music programs' like circuit training, aerobics, fitness class
Netflix show Orange is the New Black is based on the real life story of life inside Danbury prison
Maxwell appeared in a blue prison uniform with shackles around her ankles, addressed the court and said she was 'fooled' by Epstein.
'I realize I have been convicted of assisting Jeffrey Epstein to commit these crimes,' she said. 'My association with Epstein will permanently stain me. It is the biggest regret of my life that I ever met him.'
She added that Epstein 'fooled all of those in his orbit.'
Prosecutors had asked Judge Nathan to impose a sentence of at least 30 years because of Maxwell's 'utter lack of remorse,' while Maxwell claimed she should serve just four years as she is not a danger to the public.
After the sentencing on Tuesday, Maxwell's attorney Bobbi Sternheim said outside the courthouse, 'Our client Ghislaine Maxwell has been vilified, pilloried and left little room for her to be treated fairly. Because even before she stropped forward into this courthouse, she was being tried and convicted in the court of public opinion.
'Ghislaine will appeal this case and we're confident she will prevail on appeal.'
Maxwell, who has been at the infamous Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center since July
