Attorney Bobby Sternim writes that “despite no-stop in-cell camera surveillance, Ms. Maxwell’s sleep is interrupted every 15 minutes when she wakes up with a flashlight to find out if she is breathing.”
Maxwell, who is awaiting his trial at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York, is “in de facto solitary confinement under extremely restricted conditions,” according to his legal advice.
Maxwell is “excessively and aggressively searched” and monitored 24 hours a day, his lawyer says, more restricted than prisoners convicted of terrorism or capital murder.
Sternheim urged that the U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan ordered the MDC warden to address the court regarding Maxwell’s detention conditions.
Maxwell was placed in quarantine earlier this week after a staff member working in his area of the detention center tested positive for Covid-19. She tested negative for the virus, and showed no symptoms, according to a letter submitted to the court by a federal lawyer.
According to previous court filings, Maxwell is being monitored by prison psychologists for several hours a day without his knowledge.
The Metropolitan Security Correctional Center in Manhattan is awaiting a hearing on allegations of sexual misconduct at various federal facilities, with increased security following Epstein’s death during the summer. The chief medical examiner of the New York City Chief Fees said Epstein died of suicide. According to government prosecutors, the two guards were shopping and shopping online while they were inspecting the apt in, who accused them of filing false records. The guards have not pleaded guilty.
Maxwell, 58, was arrested on July 2 and charged with recruiting, grooming and eventually abusing three alleged victims, including a 14-year-old girl. Maxwell pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Judge Nathan granted bail to Maxwell after he received a flight threat.
In August the judge rejected Maxwell’s request to move to a general prison population, saying a change in his imprisonment at the time was unnecessary. His trial is set to begin in July.
Maxwell’s lawyers have argued that Maxwell was never diagnosed as suicidal and that the current situation treats him unfairly.
CNN’s Cara Scanel contributed to this report.
