The Justice Department has maintained a long-standing policy against releasing information collected on a criminal suspect outside of a criminal trial, citing concerns that such disclosure could endanger victims or other witnesses and deny due process to individuals who may be innocent. This policy has been upheld in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

According to Ian Millhiser, a senior correspondent at Vox, the Justice Department's reluctance to release information about Epstein is rooted in its commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals, including those who may be innocent. "The Justice Department almost never discloses information it collected on a criminal suspect outside of a criminal judicial proceeding," Millhiser explained. "This is because revealing such information can put victims or other witnesses in harm's way, and it can also deny due process to individuals who may be innocent and who will never receive a trial even though their names are prominently featured in the DOJ's records."

The policy is based on a fundamental principle of the American justice system, which emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of the accused. By keeping sensitive information out of the public eye, the Justice Department can help ensure that individuals are not unfairly maligned or prejudged based on incomplete or inaccurate information.

In the case of Epstein, the Justice Department's decision not to release information about his associates or alleged co-conspirators has been the subject of much speculation and debate. Some have argued that the department's secrecy has hindered efforts to uncover the full extent of Epstein's crimes and to hold those responsible accountable. Others have argued that the department's policy is necessary to protect the rights of individuals who may be innocent and to prevent the kind of vigilantism that can occur when sensitive information is made public.

The debate over the Justice Department's policy has taken on added significance in recent years, as the department has faced increasing pressure to be more transparent about its investigations and prosecutions. In response to these demands, the department has taken steps to increase transparency, including the release of certain documents and the creation of a new unit to oversee the department's use of technology in investigations.

Despite these efforts, the Justice Department's policy on releasing information about criminal suspects remains in place. As Millhiser noted, "The Justice Department's policy is not about hiding information or covering up wrongdoing, but about protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring that justice is served in a fair and impartial manner."