Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker and former associate of financier Jeffrey Epstein, has become the target of mocking nicknames from her fellow inmates at her new prison.
Despite being behind bars for serious crimes, it would appear that those incarcerated with her are trying to find humor in the situation.
Though it's unclear whether Maxwell finds it amusing.
An Umbrella That Shields More Than the Sun
Maxwell, who was seen walking around Federal Prison Camp Bryan with her umbrella over her head even in the early hours of the morning and despite cooler temperatures, has attracted attention for her unusual habit.
Inmates at the prison report that she is rarely seen without her umbrella, regardless of the time of day.
“Morning, noon, and night, Maxwell has her umbrella up,” one inmate’s husband told The Mirror.
“Couple that with her posh British accent, and very quickly, she was given the name Mary Poppins. Some inmates carried them to avoid the sun, but Maxwell has hers so tight to her head that it’s a wonder she can see anything.
"She even uses it in the morning, before the sun has risen. But unlike Poppins, there is no love for her. All the inmates know exactly what she did to young girls.”
Maxwell’s peculiar umbrella habit has drawn the attention of both her fellow inmates and prison staff.
While many prisoners use umbrellas for shade in the Texas heat, Maxwell’s umbrella is always positioned so closely to her head that it seems almost as though she’s using it to shield herself from more than just the sun.
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Credit: Patrick McMullan / Getty Images.
The “Mary Poppins” Nickname
The nickname “Mary Poppins,” derived from the famous fictional British nanny known for her magical umbrella and posh accent, has been bestowed upon Maxwell by the women she interacts with at FPC Bryan.
However, for Maxwell, there’s no charm or affection attached to the name.
Instead, the term is used to mock her for her air of superiority and to highlight the stark contrast between her former life in New York’s high society and her current status as a convicted sex offender behind bars.
“The accent makes her stand out a mile,” an insider explained. “She sounds like she’s stepped out of Downton Abbey. The girls think she’s ridiculous, swanning about with her umbrella like she’s walking to Harrods.”
Maxwell has been dubbed "Mary Poppins". Credit: Sylvain Gaboury / Getty
The Umbrella as a Shield from Hostility
While Maxwell’s umbrella may seem like a quirky fashion statement or a habit, it also serves a more practical function.
According to sources within the prison, the umbrella is not just a shield from the sun - it’s also a way for Maxwell to maintain a “low profile.”
Prison officials have reportedly instructed her to stay out of sight due to the growing hostility from fellow inmates, who are outraged by her presence at the facility.
“She’s been told to stay out of sight,” one source revealed. “That umbrella is as much about hiding as it is about the sun.”
Her umbrella has become an unintentional shield against potential confrontations, as Maxwell remains one of the most despised figures within the U.S. penal system.
With rising tensions among inmates who feel her transfer to the relatively comfortable facility was unjust, prison authorities have implemented heightened security measures to keep the peace.