Maxwell has been housed since Monday at the Metropolitan Detention Centre, a jail in Brooklyn, New York.

She said her detention there put her at "significant risk" of contracting the coronavirus, after 55 inmates and staff had tested positive for COVID-19 through to June 30.

She also said she was not a flight risk, citing her lack of a prior criminal record and her remaining in the US after Epstein's arrest last July.

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Prosecutors have called Maxwell an "extreme risk of flight" who should remain detained until trial.

Her arraignment is on July 14, and she faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted.

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The arrest of Maxwell, the daughter of late British publishing magnate Robert Maxwell, came nearly one year after Epstein pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually abused women and girls in Manhattan and Florida.

Epstein died by suicide on August 10 in jail in Manhattan. He had before his arrest socialised over the years with many prominent people including Britain's Prince Andrew, US President Donald Trump and former president Bill Clinton.

Prosecutors accused Maxwell of recruiting girls as young as 14 for Epstein from 1994 to 1997.

Maxwell faces six criminal charges, including four related to transporting minors for illegal sexual acts, and two for perjury in depositions about her role in Epstein's abuses.

Maxwell's proposed bail package includes a $US5 million ($7.1 million) bond, the surrender of her passports, "stringent" travel restrictions, and home detention with electronic monitoring.

She said she would continue needing security guards to ensure her safety.

In seeking Maxwell's continued detention, prosecutors called her an "extreme risk" of flight because of the possible long prison term, her wealth, her multiple passports and citizenships, and her having "absolutely no reason to stay".

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