A nurse from Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas has been dismissed after revealing details about the alleged preferential treatment received by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Noella Turnage, who was employed at the facility, reported her concerns to the House Judiciary Committee, leading to her termination on November 10, 2025.
Maxwell, age 63, was transferred to the minimum-security prison in August 2025, shortly after meetings with Todd Blanche, Deputy U.S. Attorney General, where she purportedly offered information regarding her criminal activities with Jeffrey Epstein. Turnage’s whistleblower allegations claim that Maxwell enjoys an unusually comfortable environment, including personalized meals delivered to her cell and access to recreational areas after hours.
In her letter to the committee, Turnage detailed how Maxwell is treated “hand and foot,” including the ability to play with a puppy, which she noted is typically not allowed for inmates. This discrepancy in treatment raised concerns for Turnage, who stated, “When even one inmate is wrongly retaliated against and influence gets another one protected, somebody had to say something.”
Turnage expressed her disillusionment with the system, saying she feels “failed by the institution.” Despite her dismissal, she maintained that her motivations were not political; instead, she aimed to uphold “common human decency and doing what’s right for all inmates.”
In communications from Maxwell, she expressed satisfaction with her new living conditions, stating she was “much happier” compared to her previous location at FCI Tallahassee. Maxwell described the environment at FPC Bryan as orderly, contributing to a safer atmosphere for both inmates and staff.
The House Judiciary Committee received additional correspondence from Maxwell that suggested she perceived her situation as improved. She noted the enhanced politeness of staff and better food quality, contrasting her experiences at her prior facility.
Turnage’s dismissal followed a letter from Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin to the White House, detailing her allegations. The attorney representing Maxwell, Leah Saffian, stated that Turnage was terminated for unauthorized access to the prison’s email system, which inmates use to communicate externally.
The reaction to Turnage’s firing has been critical, with a spokesperson for the House Judiciary Democrats expressing disappointment. They stated that retaliation against whistleblowers is a violation of federal law, emphasizing the importance of protecting those who come forward with serious allegations.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Maxwell remains a figure of public attention, serving her sentence alongside other high-profile inmates, including reality television star Jen Shah and fraudster Elizabeth Holmes. Her situation highlights the complexities of prison management and the treatment of inmates, especially those with significant societal connections.
